William Lewis Doyle, Jr. “Bill” Maj Gen USAF (Ret)
January 28, 1933 ~ August 1, 2024
Age 91
Bill’s final PCS began on August 1, 2024. Preceded in death by his mother (May), father (Lou), and Judy (Captain, nurse, USAF), wife of 25 years. He is proudly survived by his blended family – college graduates all – his wonderful, loving wife of 26 years, Jackie Marie, children, Melanie Doyle, Brendan Doyle, Amanda Studt and Chad Jasnau; grandchildren, Caleb Doyle, Kellan Doyle, Hannah Studt, Jackson Doyle, Revere Jasnau, and his mother Tiffiny Jasnau.
Born on January 28th, 1933 in Hartford CT Bill moved to Oxnard CA during WWII to be with his Seabee father before his deployment to the Invasion of Saipan. He graduated from Santa Clara High School (student body president and first team all Tri Valley League football center), the University of Southern California (BA), and Creighton University (MA). As a freshman at USC, Bill started on two freshman teams – starting guard in basketball and starting first base in baseball. He joined Delta Chi fraternity and has been recognized as a Distinguished Delta Chi.
Bill served proudly in the USAF (attaining the grade of Major General) – mostly in support of the Strategic Air Command – for 34 years all in the Intelligence business. As a SAC General Officer for many years, Bill flew 339 Looking Glass missions totaling 2778.9 flying hours as the Airborne Emergency Action Officer. He served in Texas, Alabama, Washington D.C., Spain, Vietnam (1968 TET), and Headquarters SAC at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. His many awards and decorations attest to his service. They included the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oakleaf cluster, Bronze Star, and Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars. Bill’s most cherished awards are the 1988 Zuckert Award as the outstanding general officer or senior civilian manager in the entire U.S. Air Force and the 1989 Creighton University Graduate School Alumni Merit Award. Upon retiring, the Director CIA recognized his entire body of work by awarding him the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.
After retiring, Bill was the CEO of the SAC Museum in Bellevue, worked for SAIC and devoted four very private years to successfully advocating for a new SAC Museum near Omaha. He worked with members of the SAC Consultation Committee. That included Bob Daugherty, Walter Scott, Chuck Durham, Mike Yanney, Mike Harper, Bill Strauss and airplane movement manager Bill Rotert. As a founder, Bill deeply regretted the new museum’s name being changed. A copyrighted history Bill wrote is titled THE ROAD TO ASHLAND. Bill also represented SAC on the Durham Museum Board in Omaha and the Special Olympics.
Bill’s devotion to his catholic faith was reflected by serving over 40 years as a Eucharistic minister. Additionally, during the late 1970’s Bill served Cardinal Spellman School, located near Offutt AFB, by chairing both the PTA and the school board simultaneously. Bill cared deeply for his family, many military and civilian friends, loved theatre, reading, world traveling (going to masses at beautiful churches and cathedrals) and attending sporting events with his extraordinary wife, love and best friend Jackie Marie. He will miss them all. Before going final PCS, Bill asked to be remembered and kept in your prayers. Thanks for doing that!
Visitation: Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 5:00-6:30 p.m., with a Vigil Service beginning at 6:30 p.m., St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church, 12330 South 36th Street, Bellevue, NE 68123.
To view a live broadcast of the Vigil Service, click the link below.
Memorial Mass: Wednesday, August 14, 11:00 a.m., St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church.
To view a live broadcast of the Mass, click the link below.
Place of Rest: Holy Angels Mausoleum, Resurrection Cemetery
Military Honors: Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard
Memorials: St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church or to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, https://www.sacmuseum.org/support/donate/
6 Comments
A wonderful man with many wonderful memories for my late husband John and myself all began when I served with Captain Judy Doyle at Ehrling Bergquist USAF hospital 1966. Thank you for the memories !
Jackie and family. I was so sad to learn of your loss. I know it will give you great comfort in the days ahead to see how loved Bill truly was and to hear how he touched so many lives. I took great comfort in knowing he was always there for everyone he loved. You are in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. Love Sharron
Have a safe journey to heaven. I’ll miss my annual birthday song. You gave me many happy and funny memories. Thanks for being the best loving husband to my sister. Love ya B-I-L.
Bill was a great man and a great friend ! Many great talks and dinners at his home. Enjoyed our times together at St. Bernadette’s. Rest in peace, Bill ! You will always be in my prayers with your dear wife.
Remember him well! He always stopped in to see me on his trips back to Hq USAF. High energy! Good man! Glad I knew him! RIP Bill and condolences to the family.
It was an honor to serve him under SAC. Every day was a great day with his leadership and friendship. Many years later when I had cancer he called me and offered advise and help of any kind because he had gone through the same thing. He never forgot me and my service to him and the same for me. Rest in peace General Bill.!
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