Major William Henry James Jr., USAF Ret., 92, of Belleville, IL, born February 5, 1917, in Yakima, Washington, passed away Monday, April 27, 2009, at Rosewood Care Center, Swansea, IL.   

Major James joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939 and was stationed at Hamilton, Field, CA, and McChord AFB, WA, before being transferred to Scott Air Force Base, IL, in 1940 to attend Radio Operators School.  Upon completion of Radio School, he returned as an instructor.  After being assigned as a communications officer, he attended pilot, navigation, and bombardier training, where he trained with Lt. Col James “Jimmy” Doolittle as one of “Doolittle’s Raiders”.  If one more crew had dropped out, Major James’ crew would have taken off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet in 1942 to bomb Tokyo.  He spent World War II in the Far East, serving in Australia, China, New Guinea, and the Philippine Islands.  His duties included serving as co-pilot/navigator on B-25 aircraft flying low-level ship bombing missions during which he was awarded the Purple Heart.  In addition to this honor, he was awarded many other commendations, including the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Presidential Citation, and the Distinguished Flying Cross Award.   

After World War II, Major James returned to Scott AFB, IL, under enlisted status, was assigned to radio school, and served as NCO in charge of the Radio Operators Branch.  In 1951, he was recalled as First Lieutenant and sent to Ellington AFB in Houston, TX, where he taught navigation school.  At that time, he attended the University of Houston, where he completed two years of night school.  In April 1953, Bill was transferred to the 54^th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Typhoon Chasers) at Anderson AFB on Guam in the Mariana Islands.  Between April 1953 and June 1958, he flew a total of 40 typhoon missions. 

After his return to the U.S., Major James was again stationed at Scott AFB as Navigation Training Officer for Wing Headquarters until his retirement from the military in August 1960, at which time he started his second career with the Air Force Communications Command under civil service.  In February 1964, Bill received his Illinois State Teaching Certification and taught electronics at Belleville Area College.  He retired with a combined military and civil service record of 32 ½ years.  For the last 12 years, Bill has been a colonel in the Commemorative Air Force, Missouri Wing, which has the purpose of restoring and flying World War II aircraft.  Next to his family, flying and serving in the U.S. Air Force were the loves of his life. 

Bill was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL.  He had also been a member of Belleville American Legion Post 58 and had served as president of the Douglas School PTA.  While in the military, Bill had been responsible for organizing the Air Explorers, a Boy Scout group, at several Air Force bases.  He was also very active in many Masonic fraternal organizations.  He was a life member of St. Clair Lodge No. 24 AF&AM; a member of Gothic Lodge No. 852 AF&AM, the Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Illinois, and the Ainad Temple A.A.O.N.M.S.; and an honorary member of Belleville High-Twelve Club No. 35.    

Bill’s life was always busy with hobbies.  He took pride in growing flowers, especially African violets, which flourished in his sunroom and won many ribbons for him at the St. Clair County Fair.  His outdoor interests started with archery competitions while stationed on Guam and included trout fishing and camping in Missouri with his son Bill.  CB radio, U.S. and Canadian stamp collecting, learning to play the organ, and Chinese cooking were also among the wide range of his hobbies. 

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Estelle, nee Hardt, James, whom he married April 20, 1941, and who died September 23, 2002; his parents, William Henry and Elizabeth Jane, nee St. George, James; a sister, Marguerite Barber; and two brothers, Harold and Gerald, who died in infancy.   

Surviving are a son, William H. “Bill” III (Lou Ann) James of Red Bud, IL; two grandchildren, Charles (Sarah) James of Belleville, IL, and Dr. Christine (Dwight) Lochhead of Chester, IL; four great-grandchildren, Truman and Winifred James, and Abraham and Lilith Lochhead; two nieces and a nephew, Jeannette Blixt, Kathy Spitzer, and George Barber, all residing in California; and many other relatives.    

Bill’s family would like to thank the nurses and caregivers at Rosewood Care Center, Swansea, IL, and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their loving attention and support.   

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis Children’s Hospital or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.  

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2009, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.  

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2009, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Drew Kramer officiating. 

Burial with full military honors will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.