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Family and friends lost a much loved true American hero and member of The Greatest Generation on October 17, 2011. Albert M. Willoughby was born in Union Point, Georgia to A.M. Willoughby, Sr. and Maude Rutherford Willoughby.
He grew up in Union Point and following high school graduation continued his education in Rabun Gap, Georgia and the University of Georgia. He was an outstanding athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, and football.
He immediately enlisted in the Army in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was accepted into the Army Air Corps pilot training program. He was a B-17 bomber pilot based at Thorpe Abbott air base in England, and flew 35 missions over Germany. Following WWII he remained in the service and flew B-29, B-47, KC-l35, and C-47 aircraft over his 31-year career, retiring in 1973 at the rank of Colonel and residing in Midwest City, OK.
He met the love of his life, Elaine Behr, in New York in 1945, and they were married on November 25, 1948.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Janet Anderson, daughter Sherrie Sparger and son-in-law Joe, grandchildren Brandie Palmer and husband Jay, Stephanie Anderson, Steven Rizer, Kevin Rizer, and great-grandchildren Reid Palmer, Jayson Palmer, and Peyton Mueller.
Following his retirement Al remained active in various military retiree and volunteer organizations, attended yearly 100th Bomb Group reunions, and until recently was a faithful member of the Midwest City Rotary Club. Al was the inspiration for the formation of the Oklahoma Honor Flights hub, which since 2009 has transported over 500 Oklahoma WWII veterans to see their memorials in Washington, D.C.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Oklahoma Quality Life Hospice, and the caring staff at Wellington Parke Assisted Living Transitional Unit. Friends and family visitation will be Weds., October 19, from 6 " 8 p.m., at Barnes and Friederich Funeral home in Midwest City. Service will be Thursday, October 20, at 10:00 in Barnes and Friederich Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Al"s name to Oklahoma Honor Flights at www.oklahomahonorflights.com.
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