William T. Washburn once told his son, Bill “You can do whatever you want- but whatever you do, be the best at it”.
Some of Bill Washburn’s friends referred to him as WGFP “World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot”.
William T. Washburn, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on October 2, 2009.
William Taylor “Wild Bill” Washburn, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col., 72, of Odessa, Fla., was the son of the late William C. and Lulu M. (Taylor) Washburn. He graduated from Perry High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Lehigh University. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1960 and became a fighter pilot, flying the F-100 and A7D and serving two tours of duty in southeast Asia. He retired after 21 years of active duty service to the Air Force in 1981 and settled in the Tampa area. He retired a second time in 2000 as an engineer with the State of Florida, Department of Environmental Quality.
He is survived by two children, William C. Washburn (Karen) and Laura Washburn Noble (Douglas), from his marriage to Alice B. Washburn. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, William G. (Kimberly), Lindsey, Julianna, Anthony, Christianna, and Dominique; and 1 great-grandson, William T.
Lt. Col. Washburn was an organ donor and his family encourages everyone to follow his example.
Interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Bill Washburn Caterpillar Story
“Bill is… listed as one of a select few persons to not only survive a high-speed ejection but to do so unscathed. His F-100 caught fire while in flight over It[Torrejon, Spain]. He related that every **** light was lit on the instrument panel and they were all red.
He radioed his wingman, who help guide him on a course away from habitation, and he continued to fly the jet now fated to make only one more, but spectacular, return to earth as a Roman candle. Only one error was made, he didn’t reduce throttle and so his ejection was done at about 400 mph (640kph).
He said he didn’t recall what must have been a brutal hit as his body went from a no wind cockpit environment to a wind speed more than four times the force of a hurricane’s in less than the blink of one’s eye.” His leg was injured due to falling in a semi-conscious state.
(source: Fighter Pilot Up! November 19, 2009: https://travelforaircraft.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/fighter-pilot-up/)
