I was born in the last house at the old Magnolia Oil Company pumping station, 6
miles North of Katy, Texas (now a suburb of Houston, some 35 miles to the East).
I spent the first 17 years of my life moving from town to town all over the state, finally
graduating from John H. Regan HS, Houston, TX in 1944.
miles North of Katy, Texas (now a suburb of Houston, some 35 miles to the East).
I spent the first 17 years of my life moving from town to town all over the state, finally
graduating from John H. Regan HS, Houston, TX in 1944.
My lifelong dream was to become an Army Pilot. I still have my heart and head in the
air. Some things never go away.
Toward that end, I joined the USAAC Reserves and was sent to the Univ. of Ark. under
the ASTP program, where I spent 2 quarters, returning to Houston when the program
was closed.
I had started flying on my own in 1942, taking instructions in a 40 HP, Piper J-2, Cub.
I continued my flying until called to Active Duty. I had had hopes of being assigned to
Aviation Cadets, but that program had been closed to Enlisted Men by the time I
entered Active Duty. Instead, I found myself assigned to the Military Police School at
Buckley Field, Colo. By the time of my discharge on 22 Oct.,'45, I had made Sgt. and
upon discharge, enlisted in the Active Reserves mainly to assure myself that I would at
least have a reasonable rank when the next war started.
I continued my flight training, becoming a Commercial, Single-Engine Pilot and
spent nearly all my extra money on flying time.
I attained the grade of Staff Sgt. in Reserves, reapplied for Aviation Cadets and was
accepted, only to later be told that I had to be on Active Duty in order to be assigned to a
class. I managed to get myself called to Active Duty and assigned to an Aviation Cadet
Class on the same set of orders. Believe me, that took some doing. Fortunately, I had
some good friends at HQ. and they came through.
I was Commissioned a 2nd Lt. and awarded my Pilot Wings on 21 June, '52 with
Class 52-D.
That event was the completion of my lifelong dream. The rest was up to me.
air. Some things never go away.
Toward that end, I joined the USAAC Reserves and was sent to the Univ. of Ark. under
the ASTP program, where I spent 2 quarters, returning to Houston when the program
was closed.
I had started flying on my own in 1942, taking instructions in a 40 HP, Piper J-2, Cub.
I continued my flying until called to Active Duty. I had had hopes of being assigned to
Aviation Cadets, but that program had been closed to Enlisted Men by the time I
entered Active Duty. Instead, I found myself assigned to the Military Police School at
Buckley Field, Colo. By the time of my discharge on 22 Oct.,'45, I had made Sgt. and
upon discharge, enlisted in the Active Reserves mainly to assure myself that I would at
least have a reasonable rank when the next war started.
I continued my flight training, becoming a Commercial, Single-Engine Pilot and
spent nearly all my extra money on flying time.
I attained the grade of Staff Sgt. in Reserves, reapplied for Aviation Cadets and was
accepted, only to later be told that I had to be on Active Duty in order to be assigned to a
class. I managed to get myself called to Active Duty and assigned to an Aviation Cadet
Class on the same set of orders. Believe me, that took some doing. Fortunately, I had
some good friends at HQ. and they came through.
I was Commissioned a 2nd Lt. and awarded my Pilot Wings on 21 June, '52 with
Class 52-D.
That event was the completion of my lifelong dream. The rest was up to me.
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Over the next 2-1/2 years, I became Combat qualified in the F-51 at George AFB, CA,
was assigned to the 3rd Liaison Sq., moved to Komaki AB, Japan and later to the
6147th TacConGp flying T-6 aircraft out of K-47, Chun-Chon, Korea and acting as
Forward Air Controller with the 7th ROK Division Artillery, just North of the Wachon
Resevoir on the then DMZ. While there, they lost my records and I spent 18 mos. on a
12 mo. tour.
I finally rotated back Stateside to the 793rd AC&W Sq, Hutchinson, KS where I
married. Although not happy with being an Intercept Director, I made the best of the
duty. Later, after being assigned as Operations Officer of the 703rd AC&W Sq,
Texarkana, AR, I applied for and received an assignment to All Weather Interceptor
(F-86-D) training. Upon graduation, I was assigned as Project Officer to Air Proving
Ground Command, Eglin AFB, FL. Later I joined the Drone Group at Field 3,
participating in the development of the QB-47 and QF-104 Drones. I became the
Squadron IP, performing checkouts for pilots flying assigned aircraft. I was later
assigned to Cigli AB, Turkey. I'll be very vague on this count, but suffice to say that
family life fell apart and I returned them to he States. Later, a medical opinion of a
persistent cough caused my transfer to Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Denver, CO. where
they gave me a clean bill of health, although determined that I had had TB at one time
in my life and had recovered. Upon discharge from Fitzsimons, i was assigned as
Administrative Officer to the Maint. & Supp. Sq., Lowery AFB. CO. I later assumed
Command upon the demise of the Commander.
It was here that I received the second passover for promotion to Major (I wouldn't
have promoted me either), whereupon I reverted to my permanent rank of Staff Sgt., I
was assigned to Special Projects, HQ SQ Sec, Lowery TTC. Later, I was assigned as
the Air Force Postal Clerk(equivalent to Postmaster), APO 09240, San Vito de Normani
AS, Italy. When I arrived, we had 2 airmen and myself to serve a Base population of
5000. No one could live with that, so I submitted a Staff Study justifying a new,
expanded TO&E of 18 people plus a new Post office building. Surprisingly, it flew and
within 6 months we were all enjoying leave, 3-day passes, reasonable working hours
and an Air Conditioned building. When I rotated back to the States 18 months later, I
received the Air Force Commendation Medal in recognition of the performance of duty
there.
Upon rotation, I was assigned to the Safety Office, Contract Management Division,
AFSC, Los Angeles AFS, CA. My job there was as Special Assistant to the Safety
Officer, in addition, I was made NCOIC of the Safety Division. As an additional duty, I
took over as the Manager of the LAAFS Aeroclub and increased the membership from
30 to over 150, expanded the fleet of aircraft from 4 to 15 and moved the Club from LAX
to the nearby civilian General Aviation airport of Hawthorn.
Upon retirement, 31 March, '70, I received the Oak Leaf Cluster to my Air Force
Commendation Medal for my performance during this assignment.
was assigned to the 3rd Liaison Sq., moved to Komaki AB, Japan and later to the
6147th TacConGp flying T-6 aircraft out of K-47, Chun-Chon, Korea and acting as
Forward Air Controller with the 7th ROK Division Artillery, just North of the Wachon
Resevoir on the then DMZ. While there, they lost my records and I spent 18 mos. on a
12 mo. tour.
I finally rotated back Stateside to the 793rd AC&W Sq, Hutchinson, KS where I
married. Although not happy with being an Intercept Director, I made the best of the
duty. Later, after being assigned as Operations Officer of the 703rd AC&W Sq,
Texarkana, AR, I applied for and received an assignment to All Weather Interceptor
(F-86-D) training. Upon graduation, I was assigned as Project Officer to Air Proving
Ground Command, Eglin AFB, FL. Later I joined the Drone Group at Field 3,
participating in the development of the QB-47 and QF-104 Drones. I became the
Squadron IP, performing checkouts for pilots flying assigned aircraft. I was later
assigned to Cigli AB, Turkey. I'll be very vague on this count, but suffice to say that
family life fell apart and I returned them to he States. Later, a medical opinion of a
persistent cough caused my transfer to Fitzsimons Army Hospital, Denver, CO. where
they gave me a clean bill of health, although determined that I had had TB at one time
in my life and had recovered. Upon discharge from Fitzsimons, i was assigned as
Administrative Officer to the Maint. & Supp. Sq., Lowery AFB. CO. I later assumed
Command upon the demise of the Commander.
It was here that I received the second passover for promotion to Major (I wouldn't
have promoted me either), whereupon I reverted to my permanent rank of Staff Sgt., I
was assigned to Special Projects, HQ SQ Sec, Lowery TTC. Later, I was assigned as
the Air Force Postal Clerk(equivalent to Postmaster), APO 09240, San Vito de Normani
AS, Italy. When I arrived, we had 2 airmen and myself to serve a Base population of
5000. No one could live with that, so I submitted a Staff Study justifying a new,
expanded TO&E of 18 people plus a new Post office building. Surprisingly, it flew and
within 6 months we were all enjoying leave, 3-day passes, reasonable working hours
and an Air Conditioned building. When I rotated back to the States 18 months later, I
received the Air Force Commendation Medal in recognition of the performance of duty
there.
Upon rotation, I was assigned to the Safety Office, Contract Management Division,
AFSC, Los Angeles AFS, CA. My job there was as Special Assistant to the Safety
Officer, in addition, I was made NCOIC of the Safety Division. As an additional duty, I
took over as the Manager of the LAAFS Aeroclub and increased the membership from
30 to over 150, expanded the fleet of aircraft from 4 to 15 and moved the Club from LAX
to the nearby civilian General Aviation airport of Hawthorn.
Upon retirement, 31 March, '70, I received the Oak Leaf Cluster to my Air Force
Commendation Medal for my performance during this assignment.
After retirement, I knocked around quite a bit pursuing various flying jobs that
presented themselves and that paid a living wage. Most employers tried to take
advantage of my retirement pay as an excuse for offering far less than the market for
one of my experience and I eventually opted for just selling my services as a contract
pilot to various individuals and companies. I offered flight instructions to those
wanting to learn the art of flying.
I gave up flying at age 62 and opted to draw Social Security early.
I bought a sailboat, moved to Florida and began upgrading to larger boats and
cruising the Bahamas occasionally.
Finally, in 1999, I left on my final cruise to the Bahamas and decided to extend the
cruise to the Dominican Republic, where I currently reside.
All this paints me as an egocentric individual and I'm sure many of my friends will
see it as such. I make no apologies. One main characteristic of my personality is that
I don't suffer those whom I classify as fools. To me a "spade is a spade and is
neither a bloody shovel nor a spoon".
presented themselves and that paid a living wage. Most employers tried to take
advantage of my retirement pay as an excuse for offering far less than the market for
one of my experience and I eventually opted for just selling my services as a contract
pilot to various individuals and companies. I offered flight instructions to those
wanting to learn the art of flying.
I gave up flying at age 62 and opted to draw Social Security early.
I bought a sailboat, moved to Florida and began upgrading to larger boats and
cruising the Bahamas occasionally.
Finally, in 1999, I left on my final cruise to the Bahamas and decided to extend the
cruise to the Dominican Republic, where I currently reside.
All this paints me as an egocentric individual and I'm sure many of my friends will
see it as such. I make no apologies. One main characteristic of my personality is that
I don't suffer those whom I classify as fools. To me a "spade is a spade and is
neither a bloody shovel nor a spoon".
In February of 2004 I married a lovely young (30) Dominican lady with 3 young
boys. She has provided me with the devoted companionship I have been missing
for so many years. I wouldn't trade her for all the chop-suey in China.
She is not a bit like other Dominican women I had met, being a typical "Gringo" in
search of a good time. She stood out from the crowd like a shining beacon and that
attracted me from the beginning of our relationship. She is from a very poor
"camposino" family and has 7 other siblings. She and her siblings are very close
and are very religious. They are, of course, Roman Catholic, as are most
Dominicans. She attends church twice weekly.
Sadly to say, she very recently lost her Mother and a Sister. Both services were
attended by very near 500++ people in and around the Bonao area. Down here,
interment must be accomplished very rapidly, usually the next day because of the
heat and the fact that there is very seldom any embalming accomplished.
We moved from Manzanillo to Santiago in November, 2004, and rented a
two-story, 4-BR, 3-bath house on the outskirts of the city.
Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and offers many
amenities to the "good life".
The reasons for this move were several, primarily to be closer to the up-to-date
Clinics, the Supermercados, International Restaurants and generally a more
cosmopolitan atmosphere and lifestyle. We also made the move to get away from
the constant agravation of people taking our possessions without permission and
not returning them; even denying that they had them! And this from those whom I
considered to be close friends!
The infrastructure facilities in and around Santiago are better, to say the least.
Although we don't have electrical service 24/7, and unlike Manzanillo, it is fed to us
at 115 volts and isn't ruining the all of the electrical appliances being utilized. I have
installed a 5-KW Inverter with 8-6 volt batteries for standby electricity. I'll probably
add 8 more batteries later to extend the number of hours of use.
The water comes in about 18 hours/day and doesn't present that much of
problem. One just must be aware of the availability and bath accordingly.
Spring & Summer, 2008.
I began adoption proceedings for Margarita's 3 boys back in November, 2004.
Finally, in October, 2007, the process was completed in the Children's Court here in
Santiago de los Caballeros.The next process was to have their birth certificates
changed to reflect me as their father/ That took until March, 2008. Then we had to
get all that paperwork translated into English, "legitimatized" and "notarized" so that
Dominican Passports could be issued. In order for us to be able to claim them a s
exemptions on our Form 1040, the passports had to be translated and legitimized,
notarized by Dominicans AND notarized by the US Consulate in Santo Domingo.
These had to be attached to our form 1040 along with a Form W7 so that an Income
Tax Identification Number (in lieu of a SSAN) could be issued by the IRS, thus
legitimizing them as exemptions and dependents. Total cost for all that was around
$1000.00, mostly in translation fees and other Dominican charges. The Consulate
charged $30.00 each for their notarizations.
We have just move again! This time to Calle #7, Casa #7 in the Pradero del
Norte Colonia, which is a better location, and one which is more tranquil. Although
the house is only one-story, it does offer the advantage of not being jambed up next
to the neighboring house and the cost is only $257.00 per month. Electricity runs
between $185.00 and $250.00 per month. The more one uses, the higher the cost.
The water bill is pegged at $15,00 per month with unlimited useage. We have 3
BR's and 3 Baths. No Hot water, however, so it will be necessary to install shower
heads with a built-in electric heater. We have installed overhead ceiling fans since
using an airconditioner is outof thequestion, what with the price of electricity being
"shy-high".
The area just off Avenida Hispaniola Americana. Nearby is the BancoReserva
Country Club and a modern Children's Park, just behind us off Ave. Hispaniola
Americana. Just to the North is an area called La Fuente where there are a large
number of businesses and a rather large and economical Supermercado. We buy a
lot of our staples there because of prices and the convenience of local shopping.
The private Colegio (high school) that the boys attend is very near, so they can
walk to school. That's a Plus since the fuel prices have gone through the roof.
Gasolene is at $5.00-6.00 per gallon; Diesel is at $5.00+ per gallon and Propane
is at $2.50++ per gallon. The price is regulated by the government, who owns the
Refinery, and the prices change weekly, according to the price of oil on the spot
market. Don't know why that is the case, since the DR government buys their oil
from Venezuela at $50.00/bbl. Just more corruption in government to contend
with.So all of you up there in the States are still lucky on the cost of fuel for your
automobiles; you could be paying the prices here.
We would enjoy hearing from any and all of you interested in life in the Dominican
Republic, it's people and it's environment.
If you have constructive criticisms about the site, please let me know about them.
Email me from my "Contact me" page and I'll answer.
Hoist a glass to "Absent Comrades".
Texas Bill
boys. She has provided me with the devoted companionship I have been missing
for so many years. I wouldn't trade her for all the chop-suey in China.
She is not a bit like other Dominican women I had met, being a typical "Gringo" in
search of a good time. She stood out from the crowd like a shining beacon and that
attracted me from the beginning of our relationship. She is from a very poor
"camposino" family and has 7 other siblings. She and her siblings are very close
and are very religious. They are, of course, Roman Catholic, as are most
Dominicans. She attends church twice weekly.
Sadly to say, she very recently lost her Mother and a Sister. Both services were
attended by very near 500++ people in and around the Bonao area. Down here,
interment must be accomplished very rapidly, usually the next day because of the
heat and the fact that there is very seldom any embalming accomplished.
We moved from Manzanillo to Santiago in November, 2004, and rented a
two-story, 4-BR, 3-bath house on the outskirts of the city.
Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and offers many
amenities to the "good life".
The reasons for this move were several, primarily to be closer to the up-to-date
Clinics, the Supermercados, International Restaurants and generally a more
cosmopolitan atmosphere and lifestyle. We also made the move to get away from
the constant agravation of people taking our possessions without permission and
not returning them; even denying that they had them! And this from those whom I
considered to be close friends!
The infrastructure facilities in and around Santiago are better, to say the least.
Although we don't have electrical service 24/7, and unlike Manzanillo, it is fed to us
at 115 volts and isn't ruining the all of the electrical appliances being utilized. I have
installed a 5-KW Inverter with 8-6 volt batteries for standby electricity. I'll probably
add 8 more batteries later to extend the number of hours of use.
The water comes in about 18 hours/day and doesn't present that much of
problem. One just must be aware of the availability and bath accordingly.
Spring & Summer, 2008.
I began adoption proceedings for Margarita's 3 boys back in November, 2004.
Finally, in October, 2007, the process was completed in the Children's Court here in
Santiago de los Caballeros.The next process was to have their birth certificates
changed to reflect me as their father/ That took until March, 2008. Then we had to
get all that paperwork translated into English, "legitimatized" and "notarized" so that
Dominican Passports could be issued. In order for us to be able to claim them a s
exemptions on our Form 1040, the passports had to be translated and legitimized,
notarized by Dominicans AND notarized by the US Consulate in Santo Domingo.
These had to be attached to our form 1040 along with a Form W7 so that an Income
Tax Identification Number (in lieu of a SSAN) could be issued by the IRS, thus
legitimizing them as exemptions and dependents. Total cost for all that was around
$1000.00, mostly in translation fees and other Dominican charges. The Consulate
charged $30.00 each for their notarizations.
We have just move again! This time to Calle #7, Casa #7 in the Pradero del
Norte Colonia, which is a better location, and one which is more tranquil. Although
the house is only one-story, it does offer the advantage of not being jambed up next
to the neighboring house and the cost is only $257.00 per month. Electricity runs
between $185.00 and $250.00 per month. The more one uses, the higher the cost.
The water bill is pegged at $15,00 per month with unlimited useage. We have 3
BR's and 3 Baths. No Hot water, however, so it will be necessary to install shower
heads with a built-in electric heater. We have installed overhead ceiling fans since
using an airconditioner is outof thequestion, what with the price of electricity being
"shy-high".
The area just off Avenida Hispaniola Americana. Nearby is the BancoReserva
Country Club and a modern Children's Park, just behind us off Ave. Hispaniola
Americana. Just to the North is an area called La Fuente where there are a large
number of businesses and a rather large and economical Supermercado. We buy a
lot of our staples there because of prices and the convenience of local shopping.
The private Colegio (high school) that the boys attend is very near, so they can
walk to school. That's a Plus since the fuel prices have gone through the roof.
Gasolene is at $5.00-6.00 per gallon; Diesel is at $5.00+ per gallon and Propane
is at $2.50++ per gallon. The price is regulated by the government, who owns the
Refinery, and the prices change weekly, according to the price of oil on the spot
market. Don't know why that is the case, since the DR government buys their oil
from Venezuela at $50.00/bbl. Just more corruption in government to contend
with.So all of you up there in the States are still lucky on the cost of fuel for your
automobiles; you could be paying the prices here.
We would enjoy hearing from any and all of you interested in life in the Dominican
Republic, it's people and it's environment.
If you have constructive criticisms about the site, please let me know about them.
Email me from my "Contact me" page and I'll answer.
Hoist a glass to "Absent Comrades".
Texas Bill
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