William Sullivan

SULLIVAN WILLIAM L. , born May 17, 1921, passed away on Thursday, September 27th 2012 at Hospice of Dayton. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty (Donnor) Sullivan, daughter Patricia (Tish) Schrader and husband David of Englewood, Ohio, brother Richard Sullivan and wife Estelle of Natick, MA. granddaughters Laura Eaton (husband Michael) of Dayton, Ohio, Andrea Peterson (husband Jay) of Tipp City, Ohio, grandson David Schrader Jr. (wife Rhenee) Waynesville, Ohio, great grandchildren Seth and Skyler Schrader, Jack, Dylan and Abigail Peterson. Preceeded in death by brother Frank. He was a 1938 graduate of Fairview High School, and a 1942 graduate of Purdue University. While at Purdue he was Captain of Scabbard and Blade, and member of Tau Beta Pi and Alpha Chi Rho fraternities. As a civilian engineer with the Air Force, he worked on electronic guidance systems for missiles. He designed the radar control beacon for the Martin Matador Missile, which was deployed to Europe in the 1960's, and participated in the development of the Hughes Falcon and Boeing Bomark anti-aircraft missiles, as well as the Northrop Snark and North American Navajo Cruise missiles. He helped select the location of the Air Force Missile Test Center, assisted in the establishment of the Ballistic Missile Center in El Segundo, CA., and participated in the development of guidance systems for the Atlas, Thor and Titan Missiles. He was a member of the Limited War Panel on Project Forecast in 1963, conducted an in-depth study of F-4 Aircraft problems, and participated in numerous aircraft system source selections. He retired with 35 years of service in 1976 when he was the Engineering Director of the International Fighter Program. Bill was a York Right Mason, and member of the Purdue Presidents Council at the John Purdue Club. He enjoyed camping with his family and vacationing in his second home in Ft. Myers, Florida. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 1st from 10am until time of funeral service at 11am at the Westbrock Funeral home 1721 Wayne Ave. Burial will follow the service at Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to, Hospice of Dayton or a Charity of your choice.