May 05, 1919 - February 21, 2010
William Jr. Cantwell Obituary
Born May 5th 1919 in Worcester, Mass., William Cantwell Jr lived a life full of rich and adventurous years.? Reaching the end of this worldly journey on Feb. 21st 2010 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, at Ivy Court Convelasent Home where he resided for the past year and a half.? The son of Irene and William Cantwell Sr. of Worcester, Mass.? Survived by a loving younger sister in San Antonio, Texas and her two sons and daughter, his step-son Roger Farrell of Spokane and step-daughter Suzanne Floren of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his three wonderful granddaughters Debbie, Lori, and Valerie.? His wife of 48 years, Frieda, went to be with her Lord and Savior Feb. of 2006 after finally passing away from Cancer.? William transferred in 1963 from Helena, Mont. while working for the Federal Aviation Agency to Felts Field and retired after 20 years as chief inspector for General Aviation.? (GADO).? An avid hunter and gun enthusiast, William was also a highly decorated B-17 pilot.? With 500 hrs in a B-17, 200 in combat hrs.? Leading his flight from Tunisia on Oct. 1st, 1943, with the 347th Bomb Sq. H, 99th Bomb., destination Ausburg, Germany, he was shot down on his 50th mission and interned in a Swiss concentration camp with three other surviving crew members.? Released after many months of captivity in an unprecedented prisoner exchange orchestrated by a British Intelligence Agents' persistant negotiations with both Nazi SS officials and the Swiss government. Not to be disenchanted by the dangerous turn of events, William went on to fly as a commanding pilot in the historic and heroic participation by NATO forces in keeping refugees in East Berlin supplied with food and medical supplies while being held by communist forces after the war.? The Berlin Airlift.? Affectionately referred to as "Wild Bill" by friends and foes alike, he will be greatly missed.? He was and will always be one of a kind.?
There will be a private family graveside service according to his wishes, where his remains will be joined with his loving wife in Kalispel, Mont.
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