IN LOVING MEMORY OF
William Harry
Heitman
August 10, 1943 – January 30, 2016
Obituary
Major William Harry Heitman, MD, USAF, (retired,) age 72, born August 10, 1943 in Sparta, Ill., passed away January 30, 2016 at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center, Lebanon, Ill., following a courageous 36-year battle against Parkinson's Disease.
Bill grew up in Sparta, Illinois; following graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1966, he was a navigator on the C-130 and a WSO on the B-57 and F-111. He took a hiatus from the Air Force in 1973 to attend University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, from which he graduated in 1979. Returning to the Air Force, he served as a flight surgeon until his Parkinson's Disease caused him to medically retire in 1984. Although his military career was cut short due to illness, he was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 OLC, and the Air Medal with 15 OLC. Bill had a strong faith in God, and as able, attended First Baptist Church O'Fallon.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Henry Heitman, DDS, and Geneva Pearl, nee Burns, Heitman; his daughter Sarah "Sally" Heitman, and brother R. Donald Heitman.
Surviving are his devoted wife Mary Frances, nee Burkett, Heitman of O'Fallon, whom he married January 26, 1971 in Clovis, N.M.; his children Jaylene (Bill Edwards) McGregor of Truth or Consequences, N.M., Brad (Cyndi) Heitman of Abilene, Tex., Russ Heitman of Minneapolis, Minn., several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his sister Nelda (Dick) Hershberger of Okla. City, Okla.
The family requests that no flowers or gifts be sent, and, if desired, donations may be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org).
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 27, 2016, at First Baptist Church O'Fallon, in the chapel. Enter the church building at the "Seven Hills Entrance" on the west side.
Memorial Services will begin at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 27, 2016, at the church, in the chapel, with Revs. Doug Munton and Skip Leininger officiating. Dr. Heitman generously donated his body for medical research to Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
Bill grew up in Sparta, Illinois; following graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1966, he was a navigator on the C-130 and a WSO on the B-57 and F-111. He took a hiatus from the Air Force in 1973 to attend University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, from which he graduated in 1979. Returning to the Air Force, he served as a flight surgeon until his Parkinson's Disease caused him to medically retire in 1984. Although his military career was cut short due to illness, he was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 OLC, and the Air Medal with 15 OLC. Bill had a strong faith in God, and as able, attended First Baptist Church O'Fallon.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Henry Heitman, DDS, and Geneva Pearl, nee Burns, Heitman; his daughter Sarah "Sally" Heitman, and brother R. Donald Heitman.
Surviving are his devoted wife Mary Frances, nee Burkett, Heitman of O'Fallon, whom he married January 26, 1971 in Clovis, N.M.; his children Jaylene (Bill Edwards) McGregor of Truth or Consequences, N.M., Brad (Cyndi) Heitman of Abilene, Tex., Russ Heitman of Minneapolis, Minn., several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his sister Nelda (Dick) Hershberger of Okla. City, Okla.
The family requests that no flowers or gifts be sent, and, if desired, donations may be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org).
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 27, 2016, at First Baptist Church O'Fallon, in the chapel. Enter the church building at the "Seven Hills Entrance" on the west side.
Memorial Services will begin at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 27, 2016, at the church, in the chapel, with Revs. Doug Munton and Skip Leininger officiating. Dr. Heitman generously donated his body for medical research to Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
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