William Fred Kammerer

William Fred Kammerer passed away peacefully at his home, on Sunday, March 24th, 2024. He was surrounded by loving family members and was in his son’s arms at his passing. He was born in Manhattan, New York City, on March 1st, 1937, and was 87 at the time of his passing.

Old Bill (as he was known to his friends) grew up in Manhattan and New Jersey and enlisted in the US Air Force on his 17th birthday. During the enlisted portion of his career, he progressed rapidly to the rank of Staff Sergeant, then was selected for Officer Candidate School, where he graduated as Class Commander and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1962. He graduated Pilot Training and selected the mighty C-130 Hercules as his aircraft of choice. He logged over 6,000 flying hours, including over 520 combat and combat-support missions in Vietnam. The second part of his USAF flying career was in the Rescue business, where he was credited with 10 “Saves” and was involved in every Apollo space mission. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, 5 Air Medals, and 2 Meritorious Service Medals. Upon retirement from the USAF at the rank of Major, he flew with the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Yemen Arab Republic Air Force. He was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Kay Miller, his second wife of 46 years, Virginia Kammerer, and his daughter Heidi Alcala. He is survived by his son John Kammerer and wife Susanne, daughters Aleta Young, Stasia Anders, Debra Duck, son Michael Northcutt and wife Connie, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Old Bill’s Inurnment Service with Full Military Honors, is scheduled for 9:30 AM, July 19th at Barrancas National Cemetery, aboard NAS Pensacola, FL. His Celebration of Life is scheduled for 1 PM to 4 PM that afternoon, at the Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island.