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William H. Brockett (Bill), Major USAF Retired, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2010 after being diagnosed with cancer in early September. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jeanette; and by his daughters and sons, and their families: Sherry Brockett, Kim and Steve Lynn, Bill Brockett, and Steve and Barbara Brockett; Bill and Jeanette have six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, and have lived in Albuquerque for the past 47 years. Bill enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942, became a pilot, and was stationed primarily at Castelluccia Field, Italy from 1943 to 1945. He flew B-24 Liberators in the 49th Wing, 451st Bombardment Group, 727th Squadron, and flew fifty successful missions over Nazi oil refineries, aircraft factories, supply depots, bridges, and airfields in the European Theater. These targets were heavily defended and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the success of one particularly difficult mission. He was the kind of pilot who, as it was said, could take-off, survive flak, fighter attacks, make the drops, and bring it back and land it. Following the end of World War II, Bill had a 22 year career in the Air Force, with service in the Korean War, and retired to Albuquerque where he continued working as a civilian from 1963 to 1980. Bill was a loving husband and father. He loved to cook, work around his home, do building projects, and could fix anything. Bill had a great sense of humor, and his family and friends will all miss him very much. A service will be held in late December at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
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