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STAUFFER -- William Tilden Stauffer left this life to be with his wife Virginia Stauffer on December 2, 2008. "Bill" was born on September 29, 1924 to B. Leroy and Ora Stauffer of Hazelton, Pennsylvania. He spent the first part of his life there and met Ginny while in High School. Immediately after graduating High School, he went off to the European theater of war where he fought Nazi Germany. After the war he returned home and was soon the father of Sandra and Patricia. Because of an illness, the family moved to the desert climate of Arizona, then to New Mexico where Bill found work at WSMR. His career was long and productive, starting out testing missile systems and ending with the M1 Abrams tank in the 1980s. While living in Las Cruces, his son David was born. After retiring from Civil Service, he and Ginny moved to the Albuquerque area and settled into Rio Rancho. They made a life spending many happy hours at "Memories Grill" just down the street until Ginny succumbed to a devastating illness and left to walk the wind. Bill stayed in Rio Rancho amongst his friends from Memories. After a time, living alone became too much for him and he moved to Mountain View Assisted Living. While in the War, Bill served in the 1652nd Engineer Utilities Detachment, attaining Technician, 5th Grade. He earned the American Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal. He was Honorably Discharged from Military Service on April 20, 1946. Bill was an avid Amateur Radio Operator, call letters W5ICV. He bounced a signal off the Moon once and communicated with another operator half way around the world. He used his radios along with other members of the local net to assist the Las Cruces Police Department during Halloween nights to help keep the holiday safe for young children. His expertise was very high, and after moving to Rio Rancho he joined the Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety as a Reserve Officer, badge number 601. He was involved in communication on search and rescue missions and helped develop the SCARES net. He is survived by his sister Jean; daughter Patricia and husband Don; son David and wife Jane; granddaughters Dorothy Alice, Elizabeth, and Meghan. A special thanks to Morayma and the staff at Mountain View. Respectfully, the Family Von Staufen.
        Published on: Fri December 05, 2008