LTC Willet J. Baird, Jr. USAF (Retired)
Cullum: 18172
Class: '51
Cadet Company: D1
Date of Birth: April 20, 1929
Date of Death: February 18, 2008 - View or Post a Eulogy
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From the 50 year reunion book:
After 28 Air Force years, I still miss it.
Some memorable experiences were flying the T-6, T-33, F-80, F-84G,
F-84F, C-45, C-47, C-54, C-131, B-25 and WP-29. I served in Japan
during the Korean War while on a SAC Squadron deployment. In 1956,
I volunteered for Operation High Flight and flew an F-84F non-stop
across the Atlantic for delivery to France. Paris was 
great!
In Vietnam I worked with the Vietnamese military to develop a
mini-gunship/ground interdiction program and was able to squeeze
in 10 combat missions before my tour ended. Most of my career
was centered in R&D with engineering work on nuclear ramjet
engines; airborne optics and phased array radar development in
support of ballistic missile tests; and program management in
the Air-Staff and Office of the Ass't SecDef for Atomic Energy.
Finally, I retired from the Air Force Wpns Lab, with classmates
Larry Eppley and Gerry Hendricks officiating.
I became a realtor in 1979 and was probably the only one in Albuquerque driving a pickup truck. When Jimmy Carter's interest rates got so bad in the early '80's the real estate market stagnated. So while perusing the newspaper classifieds one day I spotted a job offer for substitute math/science teachers in our public schools. I was hired and on my first assignment in less than 24 hours! Teaching mid-and high school was such an enjoyment that I decided to go back to college and became certified in secondary and adult education. After 5 years of full time teaching, my second wife became terminally ill and I gave up teaching to care for her. In 1990, she died and I started a new life in our very active senior centers. There I met my current wife, Hallie, who was a volunteer exercise instructor, health guru, terrific cook, and just something else. I've been blessed with three wonderful ladies. An aside -- Hallie was an Army nurse in WWII and served in Leyte in the Pacific.
At the present all the combinations of children total 9 kids, 19 grandchildren and 4 great grand kids. Thanks to Hallie, I go to exercise classes 3 times a week, square dance at least once a week, and play bridge about twice weekly. While taking advanced bridge lessons recently, a fellow player called me "Wild Bill". Must be a testament to my skills? Football is my only TV sport - an occasional college game, mostly the pros. Takes me back to the good old Academy football days - being with a great bunch of guys and no parades!
