William W. Douglass Jr.

William Wilson (“Bill”) Douglass, Jr., 78, died peacefully on March 17, 2012 at home in Colorado Springs in the company of his wife and sons. Memorial service will be held on March 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Monument Community Presbyterian Church with reception following. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery.

Bill Douglass was born on February 4, 1934, in Manchester, New Hampshire. Bill attended Bowdoin College and graduated from the University of Albuquerque with honors. He joined the United States Air Force at age nineteen. Bill was a founding member of the legendary “Misty” Fast FACs and served three tours of duty as a fighter pilot in Vietnam. Those under his command remember with deep appreciation his leadership by inspiring example and courageous spirit. He retired in 1974 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Among the military awards he received for his service were two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star, Air Medal with twenty-four Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart. Bill was a heroic warrior and fierce patriot.

Bill married Jackie L. Rosenkranz on April 23, 1966. The family moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where Bill taught science and math in public school and ran for Iowa State Senate with a passion that reflected his life-long concern for integrity in politics. He was a nuclear power plant operator at Duane Arnold Energy Center in Cedar Rapids and retired in 1997 as Director of Fossil Generation at Iowa Electric Utilities. He and Jackie moved to Colorado Springs within view of Pike’s Peak, whose beauty he found inspiring. Bill was an avid skier and golfer, spirited conversationalist, amateur artist, adventurous traveler, and a loyal and generous friend.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jackie Douglass; sons William (Bill) Douglass, III (Deborah) and John Douglass; three grandchildren; and sister Marie Louise Martin.

Memorials can be sent to Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care, 5450 Tech Center Drive, Suite 120, Colorado Springs.