William Fred Dryer Jr.

William Fred Dryer Jr., 88, of Lowell died Oct. 9, 2012. He was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Mangum, Okla., to William F. and Annie Leitze Dryer. Bill attended and graduated from Springdale Schools in 1942. After graduation, he attended Aero ITI in Glendale, Calif. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. After the war, Bill attended Northrop Aero Institute and worked for North American Aviation. Upon graduation, he entered commercial pilots training in Torrance, Calif. After earning his pilot's license, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was directly assigned to Germany. As a member of the military occupation force, Bill assisted with the Berlin Air Lift while stationed in Wiesbaden; he met his future wife, Erna Moller of Hildesheim, Germany. Bill was N.C.O.I.C. of an aircraft flying maintenance shop that was a part of joint exercises with other European countries and was used extensively in field operations to repair downed aircraft. Bill volunteered for four tours of duty in Vietnam; two tours spent at Danang and two tours spent at Phu Kat AFB. He spent seven consecutive years in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and other medals too numerous to mention here. Bill retired from the Air Force in 1974 and he and Erna moved to Lowell. He built a house and spent the rest of his days with Erna, gardening, traveling, fishing and working on hobbies. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Erna; his parents; his sister, Alice Dryer; and his brother, Irvin C. Dryer. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him. "That's it right there." No services are planned at this time. Online condolences may be made to www.siscofuneral.com.