Colonel William Killian, USAF (retired)

William Francis Xavier Killian, age 69, of O'Fallon, born September 8, 1943 in Baltimore, Md. passed away January 5, 2013.

Bill earned his A.B. Degree (pre-med) from Loyola College in Baltimore, Md. in 1965 where he was a member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. He received his D.D.S. Degree from the University of Maryland Dental School in 1969 where he was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and was a member of Psi Omega Fraternity.

Bill was commissioned in the US Air Force Reserves September 1966 and entered active duty in July 1969, when he served as a general dental officer until July 1973 when he entered residency in periodontics at the University of Texas/Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center Program, receiving an M.S. Degree in Biomedical Science and a Certificate in Periodontics in July 1976. He was named Distinguished Graduate of the program. He ultimately achieved Board Certification in Periodontics through the American Board of Periodontology.

He served the remainder of his 21-year Air Force career, retiring as a colonel in September 1990. His Air Force assignments included Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y., Korat RTAFB, Thailand, Fairchild AFB, Wash., Charleston AFB, S. Car., Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and Scott AFB, Ill. He completed his military career at Scott AFB, serving as Chairman of the Periodontics Department, USAF Regional Consultant in Periodontics, and Chief of Dental Professional Services.

After retiring from the Air Force, he practiced periodontics at Downtown Dental Associates in St. Louis and taught half-time at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Ill., retiring as Clinical Professor of Periodontics in December 2007.

He was a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and the Madison District Dental Society.

He was an active member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O'Fallon, Ill. where over the years he served as lector, Eucharistic minister, and member/president of the St. Nicholas Parish Council. During his retirement years, he and his wife Melanie were able to enjoy international travel. Bill tinkered around the house, and his insatiable curiosity made him a life-long learner.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Frank and Elizabeth Mary, nee Schmidt, Killian; and his brother-in-law Jay K. Moore.

Surviving are his wife, Melanie, nee Reese, Killian, whom he married June 8, 1968 in Baltimore, Md., his children William Francis Xavier "Bud" (Lucy) Killian, Jr., of La Grange, Ill., Brian David (Tracy) Killian, of Skokie, Ill., and Ashley (Matt) Storm of Bloomington, Ill., seven beloved grandchildren, Wes, Charlie, and Will Killian; Kiera and Mason Killian; Grace and Alison Storm; and his sister Anne Lee Moore of Jarrettsville, Md.

Memorials be made to St. Nicholas Church Building Fund or to American Diabetes Association.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 am, Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, with Msgr. William Hitpas presiding. Entombment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill., with military honors.