William "Bill" Edward Elmore

William Edward Elmore passed quietly on January 17, 2018 at age 92.

Born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, William was a graduate of Parks Air College with a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1945. In 1952 he married Bette Fishback and is survived by children, James Elmore (Kim) and Cynthia Elmore and grandchildren, Ian Elmore and Katherine Elmore. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bette and a son, Michael Andrew.

After graduation, William worked briefly (1945-1947) for the Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California, and then for the McDonnell Aircraft Company in St. Louis (1947-1985) where he retired as Chief Design Engineer. During his years with McDonnell his responsibilities included the quality of design of the initial versions of the F-15, F-18, and AV-8B airplanes. He also defined the original configuration of the F-4 Phantom II airplane.

William and Bette were active in the Unitarian Universalist Church community, first in Alton, Ill and later in west St. Louis County.

He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and extremely loud laugh, meaning that his children refused to sit with him in a movie theater.

Friends may visit on Monday, January 22, 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at Alexander White Mullen Funeral Home in St. Ann, MO. The committal service will be held on Tuesday, January 23 in the chapel at Memorial Park Cemetery. Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.alexanderstlouis.com.