William R. Abercrombie, Jr.
William R. (Pete) Abercrombie (Lt. Col. USAF Ret.) passed away suddenly December 3, 2004 in Portland, Oregon.
Pete was born in Birmingham, Alabama September 30, 1927. He attended Marion Military Institute in Alabama for his high school years. After graduation he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from the Academy in 1950 and was selected to go into the Air Force for pilot training, which was a lifetime dream of Pete's. He served in the Korean War conflict as a pilot. In 1953 he was sent to Leon, France as a flight instructor, training French pilots to fly a particular American plane for their use in the Viet Nam conflict. In 1967 he was deployed to Viet Nam as a bomber pilot. He served 16 month, completed 332 missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, for Heroism while participating in Aerial Flight in September of 1968… After this he received several Oak Leaf Clusters to go with his medal. He also received the Air Medal while in Viet Nam and a special citation from the Viet Nam Government. He returned from Viet Nam in 1968. He retired from the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas in 1973 having served 23 years. He lived in Houston, Texas until May of 2000. He started his second career with Aramco Oil in Houston, Texas.
Sticklin Funeral Chapel
His wife Hattie survives him at the family home in Centralia. Pete enjoyed working in his yard and being a best ever cook. He loved baking bread and gave samples to friends to try his latest new recipe.
He is also survived by his son Bernard and his daughter Hallie Vanderhider of Houston. He has five grandchildren. Ashley, Jennifer, and Lauren Abercrombie and Michael and Matthew Vanderhider all of Houston, Texas. It is especially comforting to know that Pete spent Thanksgiving with his entire family in Houston.
Funeral arrangements are pending in Houston. A celebration of Pete's Life will be held at the family home, 1315 Lakeshore Drive, Centralia, WA. On December 18th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m…
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Lewis County Animal Shelter P.O. Box 367, Chehalis, Washington, and the Veterans Memorial Museum 712 W. Main St. Centralia, Centralia college Foundation or a charity of your choice.