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BILL D. CHOATE
Bill Choate entered the United States Army in October 1945 with basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas. After basic training he was assigned to the 623rd AC&W Squadron in Okinawa as an aircraft mechanic. From there he transferred in 1948 to McChord AFB, Washington where he worked in supply.
From July 1949 to February 1952 he served with the 78th Air Bus Group at Hamilton Field, California. In 1952 he transferred to the 44th Fighter Bomber Group at Clark AFB, Philippines.
From 1954 to May 1958 he was assigned to the 5th Bomber Wing at Travis AFB where he was the NCOIC Flyaway Kit. In June 1958 he assumed the job of Supply Liaisonat Chateauroux AB, France. From Chateauroux, I was re-assigned back to Travis AFB in June 1961. In September 1965 he returned to Travis AFB as a supply specialist. Choate spent three months on Okinawa in 1966 and again in 1968 on Operation Black Shield. In January 1969 he retired from the Air Force and moved to Palmdale, California where he worked for Lockheed on the L-1011 until mid 1975. Opened my Gunsmith shop in 1975 (Choate's Rifle Shop). Sold out in 1983 and left the Socialist State of California for a return to Arizona. 1985 Opened another gun shop on the Mongollan Rim and retired in Oct 1997. At that time, I wrote my two books, "From Time to Time" and then "Don't roll over"
July 6, 2011: We regret having to inform you of the final flight of Bill D. Choate of Palmdale, California.
Bill was born on a farm in west Texas and moved to Phoenix at the age of 10. He enlisted in the Army for 18 months in October 1945 and spent a year on Okinawa. Choate was discharged in March 1947. He re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1948 and retired from the Air Force in 1969 after a four-year tour at Area 51 with the 1129th SAS during Project OXCART and and Operation BLACK SHIELD.
Bill Choate entered the United States Army in October 1945 with basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas. After basic training he was assigned to the 623rd AC&W Squadron in Okinawa as an aircraft mechanic. From there he transferred in 1948 to McChord AFB, Washington where he worked in supply.
From July 1949 to February 1952, he served with the 78th Air Bus Group at Hamilton Field, California. In 1952, he transferred to the 44th Fighter Bomber Group at Clark AFB, Philippines.
From 1954 to May 1958, he was assigned to the 5th Bomber Wing at Travis AFB where he was the NCOIC Flyaway Kit.
In June 1958 he assumed the job of Supply Liaison at Chateauroux AB, France. From Chateauroux, He was re-assigned back to Travis AFB in June 1961. In September 1965 he returned to Travis AFB as a supply specialist. Choate spent three months on Okinawa in 1966 and again in 1968 on the CIA's Operation Black Shield. In January 1969 he retired from the Air Force and moved to Palmdale, California where he worked for Lockheed on the L-1011 until mid 1975. Opened a Gunsmith shop in 1975 (Choate's Rifle Shop). Sold out in 1983 and left the State of California for a return to Arizona. 1985 Opened another gun shop on the Mongollan Rim and retired in Oct 1997. At that time, he wrote two books, "From Time to Time" and then "Don't roll over"
Steven has a son, Steven, and two daughters. Other survivors in his immediate family are his wife, Donna, sisters Ruth and Gene, and a half-brother Daniel. Services will be private.
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