William C. Barney

All who knew William Bill Barney would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He was a man of great honor and courage who touched so many within the community he called home throughout the majority of his life. A loving husband and father, Bill was thrilled to be an active part of his grandchildrens lives. Life was not without times of trial for him, but he faced whatever came his way with strength and courage that were truly an inspiration. Although he will be deeply missed, Bill leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever treasure.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. The victory in WWI left us recognized as a world leader for the first time, and innovation was transforming the way we lived our daily lives. Amidst this exciting time was a time of excitement in the lives of Lester and Tressa (Smith) Barney as they were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named William Clarence on April 8, 1923, in Columbia City, Whitley, Indiana. Bills early school years were spent at the Egolf School on present day State Road 9, and from there he attended the newly-opened Thorncreek Township Elementary School on Airport Road. Bills high school years found him at Columbia City High School where he was a member of the Eagles basketball team as well a member of the Future Farmers of America.

Shortly after graduating in 1941, Bill was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps, which was the forerunner of what is known as the United States Air Force today. He was initially trained as an agricultural inspector, but he asked to be included in the new radar operation training. After completing this training, Bill was assigned to the new Boeing B29 aircraft, located at Wendover Airbase in Wendover, Utah, where his unit, the 509th Composite Group, received specialized training aboard the aircraft. Known as the flying super-fortresses, they were the biggest of aircrafts at that time. The training they received was for the highly secretive Manhattan Project, although they were not aware of any of the specifics.

While in the military Bill was stationed on several Air Force bases in the United States and also in Havana, Cuba. In June of 1945, Bills crew was sent to the island of Tinian, which is part of the Mariana Islands in the West Pacific Ocean. Theirs was the base responsible for the atomic bomb mission. On August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay dropped the worlds first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, and after the Japanese didnt surrender, they decided to drop a second atomic bomb. After a bit of a debate, Bills plane, Bockscar, sometimes referred to as Bocks Car, with pilot Frederick Bock, was decided upon as the right plane for the job as it was properly equipped. On August 9, 1945, the original target, Kokura, was not navigable due to weather conditions so an alternate site of Nagasaki was selected. The crews of both The Great Artiste and The Bockscar were successful in the completion of their mission.

Bills crew went on to drop a handful of smaller bombs after August 9, and it was reported that they dropped one of the last, if not the last bomb of World War II. Fearing additional atomic bombs and more attacks, the Japanese surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri in the harbor of Tokyo on September 15, 1945, bringing to an end one of the worlds worst conflicts. Bill and his crew steadfastly maintained that with the imminent invasion of Allied troops on the mainland of Japan slated for only a month away, the orders by President Truman to drop the bombs saved thousands of lives of both Japanese and Allied troops as that invasion was avoided. Bill was honorably discharged and received several Army Air Corps medals.

Following in the footsteps of many other young soldiers after the war, Bill came home and resumed the life he set aside for a time. He met and later married Phyllis Stickler on November 27, 1946. Together they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Barbara, and they also worked their Airport Road farm. When all the crops were in every summer, they enjoyed doing some traveling as a family, visiting places like Florida and Washington, D.C. In addition to farming, Bill drove a delivery truck for the Whitley County Co-op during the fifties and sixties. On January 19, 1983, Bill was deeply saddened with the death of his wife.

Later he met a lovely widow lady thru her brother Ralph and on May 22, 1985 Bill married Cora Bailey Murphy in Warsaw. Together they maintained their home on the Barney farm on Airport Road, and they spent many winter months in Osteen, Florida.

Throughout his life Bill was very active in his community. He was a founding member of the Thorncreek Township Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Thorncreek Township Advisory Board, a member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and also of the Whitley County Farm Bureau, the Fraternal Order of Elks, Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion. When it came to his hobbies, Bill often read western novels, keeping an immaculate yard and garden, and also enjoyed attending his grandchildrens sporting events.

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, William Bill Barney was a humble man who lived to serve others. His love for his family was never-ending, and his devotion to his community was unmatched. Bill will never be forgotten.

William C. Barney, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Wednesday evening, July, 20, 2016, at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Bills family includes his daughter, Barbara (Joe) Clark, of Fort Wayne; step-son, Robert (Gayle) Murphy, of Pierceton; grandchildren LeAnn (Jeffrey) Nome, of Fort Wayne, Stephen (Samantha) Clark, of Noblesville and Amanda (Josh) Clements, of Fort Wayne; four great-grandchildren, Kaia, Jase, Spencer Nome and Laela Harouff; and numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Bill also leaves behind two special friends that he would collaborate with, Rod and Rick Zorger. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; first wife of 36 years, Phyllis Barney on January 19, 1983; second wife of 30 years, Cora Barney on October 18, 2014; foster brother, Wilbur Steadman; step-daughter, Judy Murphy Walters; and three step-grandchildren.

Visitation is Sunday, July 24, 2016, from 2-5 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Visitation will also be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday with Bills funeral procession leaving DeMoney-Grimes at 10:30 a.m. to Blue River Cemetery, where his funeral services with military honors will be rendered by his family, the U.S. Army and the Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard. Bill then will be laid to rest beside his first wife. Memorials may be given in his memory to the Historic Wendover Airfield Foundation. To read Bills life story to or send family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .