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William J. Mehm Sr., retired aerospace engineer, age 83, passed away 7 April 2001 at Robin House assisted living facility in Albuquerque, NM. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on January 16, 1918, son of the late William and Elizabeth (Walter) Mehm. He graduated from Grand Army of the Republic High School and in 1940 moved to Buffalo NY with his wife Alice (Craig) to attend the University of Buffalo College of Engineering and begin work as an aerospace engineer at the Curtiss-Wright Corporation designing the P40 fighter for use during WWII. In 1945 he was called to active duty in the US Navy. Following military service, Mr. Mehm resumed his aircraft design career at the Bell Aircraft Corporation in Niagara Falls NY. In 1959 he moved with his wife and two sons, William and David, to Los Angeles California where he worked for the Lockheed, North American, and Hughes Aircraft companies. During this time, he was involved in the design or modification of the Rascal and Phoenix Missiles, F104 Star Fighter, B-52 and B-70 Bombers, C141 Star Lifter, and two commercial helicopters. His most significant contributions were his work on the X-2 experimental rocket aircraft and the Lunar Surveyor Space Craft that paved the way for the US space program and the Apollo moon landings. In the early '70s he moved to Albuquerque NM where he worked in aviation design until retiring and then opened a coin-operated laundry business. Mr. Mehm is survived by his son, William and daughter-in-law, Karen of Fairfield CA; brother, Francis of Honesdale, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, son, David and four brothers, Joseph, Carl, Walter and George. Funeral mass will be on Wednesday, 11 April at 9:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1818 Coal Place SE, Albuquerque. A private entombment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE. Mr. Mehm will lie in state at the Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Ave. SE on Tuesday evening, 10 April from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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