Mark Schlachtenhaufen
EDMOND — Edmond is home to many families with loved ones who have served their country in the military, honored by Americans on the Fourth of July.
Among them is the Denyer family, which includes a father who started the Air Force Junior ROTC program in Edmond and a son who recently retired as an Air Force colonel.
In 1973, Bill Denyer Sr., now 79, an Air Force pilot, retired and moved his family to Edmond. That same year, he started the city’s Air Force Junior ROTC program. His son, Bill Denyer Jr., participated in the program during his junior and senior years before graduating from Edmond High School in 1975.
The family’s military story takes off during World War II, when Bill Denyer Sr.’s oldest brother, Sam, was a Marine pilot, and the next oldest brother, Bob, flew B-17s.
“I have been interested in aviation since a small boy,” Bill Denyer Sr. said. “Growing up, patriotism and service to others were common qualities in my family. A military service career seemed somewhat natural to me.”
During the last half of his military career, Bill Denyer Sr. flew KC-135s, which carried fuel for other aircraft. Fortunately, the U.S. enjoyed complete air superiority over Vietnam so no one got close enough to shoot at him, he said.
He said the most rewarding part of serving in the military was the relationships he had with so many motivated and dedicated military members.
Bill Denyer Sr. said he is proud to be an American because by and large the United States has stood for high principles.
“Our country was founded by some brilliant and courageous men,” he said. “For a long time, we have been the most benevolent country ever known and we have given a great deal in both lives and treasure to help others.”
On June 1, Bill Denyer Jr. retired from the Air Force Reserves as a full colonel. Since 1991, he has been a pilot with American Airlines, where he is now an international 737 captain based in Miami, Fla.
Bill Denyer Jr. said he worked in the oil field and completed a semester of graduate school before starting pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in February 1980.
In 1981, after graduating, he attended F-4 Phantom training near Miami, Fla., at Homestead Air Force Base. From there, he reported to his first operational F-4 assignment at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. In 1986, he was selected to transition to fly the F-15 Eagle, and after he completed training he reported to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.
In June 1990, Bill Denyer Jr. chose to leave active duty as the Air Force began to downsize.
Later that year, his Air Force Reserve career began at Tinker Air Force Base where he served in a non-flying capacity until reporting for F-16 Fighting Falcon training in Tucson, Ariz. He later transitioned to the KC-135 Stratotanker. He also flew the A-10 Thunderbolt.
During his assignment at a New Orleans Naval Air Station, he deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, to fly missions over Bosnia. He flew the F-16 out of the Homestead Air Reserve Base until 2001, ending his flying career with more than 3,200 flight hours and 30 combat sorties over Iraq.
Bill Denyer Jr. said although he planned to retire after leaving the cockpit he accepted an offer to command an Aerial Port Squadron at Homestead ARB. He commanded that unit from November 2001 until he became the 482nd Fighter Wing inspector general in January 2004.
In June 2008, he became special assistant to the 482nd Fighter Wing commander, where he served until his retirement in June 2009, ending a 30-year career.
Bill Denyer Sr. said like most Edmond residents, he enjoys the friendly, small-town atmosphere here. While that is slowly changing, many individuals are working to preserve as much of that era as they can, he said.
Bill Denyer Sr. said at age 79 his Fourth of July activities have “calmed down considerably,” but he still likes to take in the spectacular fireworks display each year at the University of Central Oklahoma.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
