William Coleman Obituary

Colonel William Downing Coleman (USAF Ret.) ASHEVILLE, NC - Colonel William Coleman, USAF (Retired), age 85, died May 19, 2011, in Asheville, North Carolina. Colonel Coleman was a long-time resident of Seabrook Island, South Carolina. He was born in Fairfield, Alabama and joined the United States Air Force in 1948. He was married to the late Rebecca Varn Coleman for more than fifty years. He was fondly known by all as "The Colonel" and was an avid sports fisherman for many of his retirement years. He faithfully served his country for 25 years. He is a veteran of World War II, Vietnam, Korea and the Cold War era. Among his many decorations are the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Metal, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters (Eight Air Medals), and Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. During his service, he piloted more than 25 different types of military aircraft, including the B-17 (Flying Fortress), B-25 (Mitchell Bomber), B-47 (Strato Fortress), B-52 (BUFF - Big, Ugly, Flying Fortress) and the C-130. He retired from the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Grand Forks, ND, in 1973 as a Full Colonel. The Colonel and Betty spent many wonderful years on Seabrook Island. He was one of the early custom home builders on the island, building more than sixty homes and making lifelong friendships in the process. The Colonel was also an icon at Bohicket Marina as a United States Coast Guard Licensed captain and owner of the "Betty Bo". He had an avid passion for off-shore fishing and especially enjoyed introducing people to the sport and watching them catch fish. In addition, he travelled the world in pursuit of marlin. Bill is survived by his wife, Marguerite Coleman of Asheville, NC; his three children, daughter Debra Tatum of Summerville, SC, daughter, Denice Fisher and husband Mike of Summerville, SC, son Dennis Varn Coleman and wife Kendra of Charleston, SC; his six grandchildren, Susan Porter and husband Richard of Charleston, SC, Bryan Tatum and wife Erin of Charleston, SC, Kristin Fisher Webb and husband Chase of Birmingham, AL, Carrie Fisher of Summerville, SC, Madison and Mitchell Coleman of Charleston, SC; one great-grandson, Hunter Chase Webb of Birmingham, AL; brother Dr. James Turner (Jack) Coleman and wife Florence of Mobile, AL. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Rebecca (Betty) Varn Coleman on January 24, 2002. A full-dress military internment service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, dates pending. Donations may be sent to the South Carolina Memorial Reef, c/o 1910 Capri Drive, Charleston, SC 29407. Arrangements by Groce Funeral Home, 856 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 299-4416. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths