William (Bill) Redmon, age 98, passed away November 22, 2022 at his Penn Cove home. Bill was born on a farm outside Tipton Missouri to Della and William Redmon.
From age 8 he worked a series of jobs and attended school, moving to business college after high school and working at night. At age 19 he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the US Navy, beginning flight training in August 1943. April 25, 1945 he earned his gold wings and was commissioned as an Ensign. With WWII over he was discharged, remaining in the Naval Reserve, and returned to college, graduating in June 1948 from Wichita U with a B.S. and majors in Accounting and Economics, while flying with the Naval Reserves on weekends. In late 1948 he was commissioned as an Ensign on active duty flying F4U Corsairs, and in July 1950 he boarded the USS Philippine Sea bound for Korea, later moving to the USS Kearsargee flying the AD 4 Skyraider, flying 100 carrier close air support missions.
After Korea, stationed in San Diego he met and married Billie on August 10, 1954. From 1962 to 1965 he moved the family to NAS Whidbey flying the A3 with VAH 123. He had seen much of the world and thought Whidbey Island one of the most beautiful places and bases ever. It would be his home except for 18 months in 1965 through 1966 spent based out of San Francisco on the USS Coral Sea off Vietnam as Assistant Air Boss. By late 1966 he was back to NAS Whidbey as Staff Maintenance Officer, still flying
the A3, and retired in June 1969 after flying 20 military aircraft.
In 1970 Bill became a State Farm agent in Oak Harbor taking over for John Brown, retiring again in 1989. After this retirement he devoted himself to his family, travel, and especially the Gideons. He was devoted to spreading GODs word, as his doctors during his last weeks can attest! He was a great golfer, playing at Gallery Golf Course weekly with his great friends “The Ball Droppers”, and regularly shooting his age or better (a golfers bucket list item) over his last couple decades. His last round on August 29 was a 98! He loved fishing and boated into his 90’s.
William Redmon was a fine, caring, Christian; husband; father Navy Aviator and friend who is loved and
missed. He left these words: “Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path GOD left for me. My life’s been full, I’ve
savored much, good friends, good times, a loved ones touch. Lift up your heart and share with me, GOD wanted me now! He set me free!”
A longtime member of First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor, his memorial will be held there on January 17, 2023 11:00 am.
