Billie Jack Norwood

Colonel (Ret.) Billie J. Norwood, USAF, passed away on February 12, 2018 in Abilene, Texas.

Visitation will be between from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Sunday, February 18, 2018 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas.

Military funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander Street, Abilene, Texas. Interment to follow in the columbarium area of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal.

Col. (Ret.) Norwood served more than 30 years in the United States Air Force in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He has more than 15,000 military flight hours and was awarded The Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with cluster, and numerous other awards, citations, and ratings. His last 2 assignments were as the Wing Commander 317th TAW, Pope AFB, Fayetteville, NC (Aug. ‘70-Apr. ‘73), and Commander, 51st Air Base Wing, Osan, Korea (Apr. ‘73-May. ’74). After retirement at Dyess AFB Abilene, Texas, Col. (Ret.) Norwood served 15 years as a corporate pilot in the private sector.

Col. (Ret.) Norwood was active in his church and community and worked tirelessly to help feed and clothe the homeless.

Col. (Ret.) Norwood was preceded in death by Elsie Britton Norwood, his wife of 69 years, his parents James A. and Katherine M. Norwood, his sisters Francis Shuler and Rosemary Hall, and his eldest daughter, Susan Norwood Wright.

Col. (Ret.) Norwood is survived by son Bill A. Norwood of Abilene, Texas, daughter Cathy A. Norwood of Abilene, Texas, son Brian A. and Kathy Norwood of Houston, Texas, along with 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to The Abilene Boy’s Ranch in Abilene, Texas.

The family of Colonel (Ret.) Billie J. Norwood wishes to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Mesa Springs Healthcare facility, the staff of Hendrick Hospice, the doctor(s) and staff of Dr. Thomas Headstream and Dr. Samuel Maroney for their friendship, kindness, and caring treatment of our father.