MONTROSE — William “Bill” Joseph Mennell was born Sept. 3, 1923 in Detroit, Mich. and passed away Feb. 9, 2009 at San Juan Living Center at age 85.
At the young age of 19, he voluntarily enlisted with the Army Air Corps on Oct. 17, 1942. During WWII, he served with the 15th Air Corps as a gunner and armorer on B-24 aircraft in heavy bombardment squadron. He participated in many air-raids from North Africa and Italy. Staff Sgt. Mennell was awarded the Air Medal twice, the Purple Heart and was a winged Flight Engineer on at least three major campaigns, including two raids on Ploiesti.
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After graduation, he worked for Boeing Aircraft for five years, participating in the design of the B-52. Bill then chose employment with Ford Motor Company as a Development Engineer where the highlight of his career was his leadership in the design of the first Ford Bronco.
After working at Ford for 22 years, he retired in 1979 and moved to Montrose Colo. Later, he moved to California to work with Spirit 76, a military support company. Upon leaving California, he lived in Sandpoint, Idaho, then Grand Junction, Colo. before returning to Montrose.
Bill loved fixing cars, boating, working on his pastel landscape artwork, listening to the “oldies” swing, and always made time for a good Louis L’Amour.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents: William and Dorothy; and his son, Robert. He is survived by his brother, George and his wife Diane of Monroe, Mich.; his three daughters: Kate Cecil and her husband Pat of Lone Pine, Calif., Lisa (Mennell) Havens of Grand Junction, Colo., Barbara (Boyce) Koeman and her husband Mark of Montrose, Colo.; and his son, William F. Mennell and his wife Nancy of Ramona, Calif.
Bill’s life was blessed with four grandchildren: Matthew and Jason Mennell, Zachary and Marcus Boyce.
Bill was known for his quick wit, a warm wink and his frequent remarks, “Where are you from?” and his favorite, “Not bad for Friday.”
He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
Visit our Web site, sign the online register and send condolences to his family at www.sunsetmesafuneraldirectors.com.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction, care and have been entrusted by Bill’s family to Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors, 155 Merchant Drive, Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 240-9870.
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