Tributes

John William Odell Ash “Bill”, age 86, died peacefully surrounded by family on February 18, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. Bill is survived by his wife, Margie, sister Bettye Paulin, and his three children: Billy Ash and his wife Sandy, Kenny Ash and his wife Brandy, and daughter Patty Singletary. He also leaves behind his five Grandchildren, Brandon Ash, Ryan Ash, John Ash, Lyric Ash, and Lauren Singletary as well as two Great Grandchildren, Emry and Ellie Ash, stepson Bill Cooper, stepdaughter Kim Manes and her husband Joe Manes, step grandchildren Joey Manes and his wife Kathleen, Jacob Manes and his wife Jen, Ethan Manes, and Nicole Cooper, two step great grandchildren Benjamin and Tia, also two furry buddies Moxi and Marley, nieces and nephews Teresa Richardson, Julie Paulin Botner. Robert Edwin Paulin Jr. and his wife Becky, Angela Paulin Greenwell husband Marty. Several great nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his father John William Odell Sr., mother Clara Louise Noel (Brown), his brother Don Ash and his brother-in-law Bob Paulin. Bill was born October 6,1937 in Louisville Kentucky to John William Odell Ash Sr. and Clara Louise Brown. He was mostly raised there with his brother Don and sister Bettye. Bill was an Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War and proudly served his country as MSGT John W. Ash from 1955 until 1975. He supervised a highly skilled and technical section. He earned several medals to include the Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal. He was part of the 6994th Security Squadron that served in Southeast Asia from 1966 thru 1974. This squadron is still the most highly decorated squadron in the history of the current 16th Air Force and all of its predecessor organizations. The air crews, with the support of the ground crews, flew in unarmed WWII vintage EC-47 aircraft and earned the motto, “Unarmed, Alone, and Unafraid.” This Air Force Squadron was responsible for locating and identifying the enemy using airborne radio direction finding (ARDF) techniques and collecting intelligence information in support of ground combat commanders. As a result of their work, many attacks on friendly forces were mitigated and it has been reported that up to 95% of the B-52 attacks in Vietnam were based in part on information collected by the squadron. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Air Force never left him, as friends and family will attest. “Our pride is in accomplishments that are often secret, and memories are about things that happened, but will be officially denied”. – Bill Mahan (FTVA), 15 June, 2008. He loved to take his kids, any chance he got while they were growing up, camping at Garner State Park and to Port Aransas making lifetime memories for them all. He loved to hunt and spent many years on a deer lease with his Sons and Grandsons. They all have great memories of telling stories around the campfire…first time they ever heard all about Vietnam! That information was classified info most of his life. His favorite past time was golfing, and his favorite tournament was the annual FTVA Golf Tournament that he and his sons and life-long friends would participate in every year. There he played with many of the men that served in the USAVSS with him during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force, he became a Broker/Builder of houses in Texas to include being consistently the number one salesperson for Avery Edwards Custom homes in north Dallas. He made many lifetime friends and memories while he was there. After leaving north Dallas he moved back to San Antonio and built some homes with his son Kenny, then he went on board with Bradfield Properties Better Homes and Gardens where he won many outstanding rewards and acquired many friends, of course Bill was without a doubt the best dressed. He met his wife, Margie, at a Super Bowl party in 2005. At first, she thought he was a really nice guy, however too tall for her. Well, he won her over very quickly, got engaged in April, bought their first home in June, and married in September 2005. They have had so many memories over the years to include going to the coast. They bought a motor home so could stay right on the beach and, well, the motor home became a money pit (thank goodness for AAA). Bill was a wonderful husband, and he was loved by all of Margie’s family. If Bill and Margie ever disagreed, he would say “I’m calling your mom right now”! Of course, she always took his side. Bill had great golfing buddies as well as a poker bunch that met once a month (what crazy card games they would come up with)! Through the years he loved entertaining friends and family and was always up for the many parties Margie and he had. SERVICES A Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, starting 10 A.M. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 12:00 P.M., with a graveside service to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Following the burial, friends and family are invited to Bill and Margie’s house to celebrate Bill’s life. For anyone not wanting to go to Ft Sam there will be friends to greet you at their home after the service at the chapel. Please come to celebrate this wonderful man’s life and exchange funny and memorable stories.

Tributes

John William "Bill" Ash

October 6, 1937 - February 18, 2024