Bill B. Laningham

Lt. Colonel (Retired) USAF Bill B. Laningham, 88, of 3022 Vicksburg Road, Johnson City died Wednesday, November 19, 2008 in the Johnson City Medical Center. Lt. Colonel Laningham was a native of Pennington Gap, VA and had lived in Johnson City since 1999. He was a son of the late James Elliott and Anne Wynn Laningham. Lt. Colonel Laningham was a retired Air Force pilot with twenty-seven years of service to his country. He flew B26 bombers in World War II, flew the DC3 'Gooney Bird'? in Korea and the large C130 planes in Vietnam. He flew for the Strategic Air Command in Vietnam and was awarded for the Highest Crew Instructional Proficiency every recorded in the history of SAC. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross in flying fifty-nine missions during WWII, the Bronze Star with nine Oak Leaf Clusters in Korea and Vietnam. Lt. Colonel Laningham was preceded in death by : his parents; one brother, John Laningham; and his first wife, Jo Reasor Laningham in 1986. He was a member of the First UMC of Pennington Gap, Virginia. Survivors include: his wife, Martha Ann Horne Laningham of the home; two sons, Bill B. Laningham,II and his wife Connee of Tehachapi,CA, Joseph H. Laningham and his wife Louise of Orlando, FL; two grandsons, James Laningham and Brian Laningham; one step-son, W. Douglas Romines, Jr. and his wife Andrea of New York City, NY; one sister, Mary Anne Laningham of Salisbury, NC; one brother, Dr. James Thomas Laningham and his wife Louise of Southern Pines, NC; another sister-in-law, Betty Laningham of Jonesville, VA.; several nieces and nephews also survive. At the request of Lt. Colonel Laningham, he will be cremated and his cremains are to be buried in the family plot at Lee Memorial Park in Woodway, Virginia. To those who desire, memorial gifts may be sent to your favorite charity.