William E. Blue

William E. Blue, 80 years young, succumbed to arthritis, also called stage 4 lymphoma, on Sept. 18, 2017, in his Peoria, Ariz., home, with his family by his side.

Maj. William E. Blue (USAF, Ret.) grew up in Roachdale.

Maj. Blue was proud of his country and served four years in the U.S. Army and 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He logged 10,000 flight hours in the KC-135 and 2,000 hours in the C-130 while earning seven air medals.

After retirement, Maj. Blue spent 13 years in the Explosive Ordnance division of the U.S. Navy.

Bill loved to sail, hunt rocks, perform magic, canoe Sugar Creek, collect stamps, travel and take photographs and video. CBS still uses the 1994 B-52 clip he filmed.

He is survived by his spouse, Jean VanVactor Blue; his two children, Barbra Blue and Beth Blue Willis; and five grandchildren, Zachary, Zarah, Zane, Zeth and Zemar.

He is predeceased by his parents, Roy Blue (teacher/principal) and Mary Shields Blue (beautician).

There will be a graveside service for Bill at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 at Roachdale Cemetery with David Gatlin officiating. Military rites will be performed by the United States Air Force.

Servies and Morgan Funeral Home, Roachdale, has been trusted to arrange these services.

Condolences can be made to Bill's family at www.serviesmorgan.com.

In lieu of flowers, fly your American flag.

Godspeed.