Charles Tom Thomas Hill

State. He was also a graduate of SOS, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. Tom earned his USAF pilot wings in 1965. He had a long and distinguished flying career, and was a Command Pilot with over 3,000 hours pilot time. He flew “Puff the Magic Dragon”/AC-47 in the Vietnam War (66-67) and later the AWACS out of Tinker. A few of his favorite assignments included serving as an AOC at USAFA and later a tour with NATO at SHAPE, Belgium. His military decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, Presidential Unit Citation, and four Air Medals. Upon retirement, Tom began a second career as a counselor at Rose State College. Despite all his accomplishments, he will most be remembered for his devotion to his family, teaching magic tricks to his granddaughters, and never refusing a challenge of a frequent cribbage game. He enjoyed racquetball, puzzles, cards, gardening, and most of all, spending time with his family. Tom was a loving husband, devoted father, proud Granddaddy, and our hero. Tom’s parting words were always, “Fly Safe.” Tom is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sandy, daughter and son-in-law, Cami and Gene Thatcher, daughter and son-in-law, Marni and Taylor Wyand, granddaughters, Lauren and Sydney Wyand, and sister, Susan Barrick and her husband, Robert. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Wayne and Joy Hill. The family’s deepest appreciation goes out to Crossroads Hospice. A memorial service will be held at the Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home NE Chapel, 2:00P.M., August 15, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at www.alzinfo.org/donate.