William James Dess

William (""Bill"") J. Dess, Lieutenant Colonel United States Air Force (Retired), beloved husband, father, and grandfather, joined loved ones in heaven on Friday, May 22, 2015. Bill's military experience included 21 combat missions as a B-29 pilot from Guam to Japan in World War II. As a pilot he achieved Command Pilot Rating, passenger carrying certification in Europe, and test pilot and instructor pilot ratings. After WWII, he served the country in Korea and Italy and stateside at Wright-Patterson Field in Ohio. Life as a civilian began in 1969, when he became Supervisor, Equipment Management, California Department of Parks and Recreation. He worked for the State until retirement in 1986. Bill claimed that his most significant accomplishment was his family. a€‹He anda€‹ Mary, his wife since August 28, 1944, raised five children in Korea, Italy, and several of the United States. Bill is survived by wife Mary, sons Jay, Greg, David, and Mark, daughter Nancy, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, 95817, or Faith United Methodist Church, 3600 ""J"" Street, Sacramento, CA, 95816. Service MAY 27. 11:00 AM Sierra View Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc. 6201 Fair Oaks Blvd. Carmichael, CA, US, 95608 http://www.sierraviewfuneralchapel.net/