Miegel, William Died August 5, 2009 after a lengthy illness. Born May 21, 1923, Hot Springs, Arkansas. In 1941, he began his career as pilot in a program known as the Civil Pilot Training (CPT) program. After graduating from high school in 1942, he was assigned to the Spartan School of Aeronautics for advanced training in instrument flying and commercial license. J. Paul Getty owned the school and was Bill's check pilot for his assignment there.

 

In 1943, he was assigned to the Central Instructors School at Randolph Field. He checked out in B-18's, BT-9's, BT-13's, PT-19's. He was assigned as a flight instructor at Cimarron Field, flying P-19's and received a direct commission in the Air Corps as a ferry pilot. He flew aircraft from various factories to Alaska for Russian landlease. He made his first trans-Atlantic flight in a B-25 from Belem, Brazil to Ascension Islandand Cairo.

 

He then was transferred to Reno, Nevada for hump pilot training. In 1944, he transferred to China, was chosen to fly with Sylvester's Circus, a secret cargo unit. He was assigned to the 20th Air Force and flew C-46's into newly captured fields behind Japanese lines to evacuate downed pilots, political personages, and others. It was his squadron that released Ho Chi Minh from jail to fight the Japanese in French Indo China.

 

His aircraft was first to liberate Shanghi, China. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf clusters with Four Battle Stars. He continued to fly the Hump for the remainder of the war from Luliyang, China.

 

He returned to the United States by way of New York City aboard the liberty ship the Horace Greely. After the war, he enrolled in Southern Methodist University Business School in pursuit of an Industrial Engineering degree.

 

He married Marie Scott on December 21, 1946. He Flew C-46's on weekends in the reserves at Hensley Field. In 1950, he graduated from SMU and was called back to service one week before his graduation. In 1950, he was assigned to Englander AFB at Alexandria, La. flying F-84 fighter bombers. He was then transferred to Shaw AFB in Sumpter, South Carolina flying RF-80's and was assigned as Wing Accident Investigator.
In 1952, he separated from the air force and joined Chance Vought as Contract Administrator. Later, he became the Director of Long Range Government Planning for LTV. In 1969, he became Vice President of Postal Systems Engineering Commercial Division of E-Systems. He took part in the development of the modern day postal system used by many post offices today.

 

He belonged to the Old Crows (a small national group of scientists who developed the black systems). He is a former member of Lakewood Country Club, The Northwood Club and Horseshoe Bay Country Club. He is also a long time member of Coterie Club, past President of the Dallas Chapter of the Sigma Chi Alumni of Dallas.

 

His happiest days were spent with his friends and family at Hidden Hill. He will be greatly missed by his loving family members, his wife, Marie Scott Miegel, his son, William Miegel, Jr and wife, Cindy, daughter, Elizabeth Marie Miegel, granddaughter, Lauren Miegel Burris and husband, Gregory, step-granddaughter, Jennifer Pannell-Davis and husband, Jeremie Davis, step-grandson, Richard Pannell, Jr and wife, Lucinda. He is also survived by his great-grandson, Bryant Burris, and stepgreat-grandchildren, Emily Pannell, Phoebe Pannell, Maggie Pannell and Ellie Pannell. Survivors also include his nephews Dan Clinton, Roy Allen Clinton, David Clinton and niece Liz Clinton along with their families. A graveside service will be held at Restland Memorial Park on Saturday, August 8, 2009, at 10:30 a.m.