This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Rodman, William Norman, 1st Lt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Detroit, MI
Last Address Plainfield, IL
Date of Passing May 17, 2010
Location of Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (VA) - Elwood, Illinois
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section C5-91, Row B, Site 10
SHORT NOTICE - 1st Lt. William N. Rodman, USA Air Corp, WWII, Elwood, IL 21 MAY 2010
The family of Army Air Corp 1st Lieutenant William N. Rodman has invited the Patriot Guard to show our Honor and Respect at the interment of his cremains.
Bill served from Jan, 1943 thru Jun, 1945. As a member of the Eighth Army Air Force 305th Bomb Group, he flew many missions in the B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’, supporting the allied effort during WWII. Their motto was “Can Do”. His ‘Fort’ was named “Leading Lady” and has the distinction of being the first B-17 to make 100 successful missions. He was both co-pilot and pilot during his tour, flying missions over France and Germany. He received the American Campaign medal, among others.
Bill passed away on Mon, 17 MAY 2010. He will be buried with Military Honors on Fri, 21 MAY 2010, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
William North Rodman passed away May 17, 2010, in Plainfield, Ill.
He was born in Detroit, Mich., on Aug. 4, 1921, to Charles and Emma Rodman. He lived in Detroit until he was 10 years old when his family moved to South Lyon, Mich. He graduated from South Lyon High School. He joined the Air Force in January of 1943. He became a B-17 pilot and flew 35 missions over Germany while based in England.
After the war he was employed by Eastern Airlines in Miami, Fla. There he met and married Peggy Rose Darling. They later moved to Detroit, Mich., where they lived for 16 years. During the years in Michigan three daughters were born, Pamela, Linda and Gloria.
In 1966 he moved his family to Aurora, Ill., when he took a job with Walker Manufacturing. In 1975, he was sent to Greenville where he opened the new Walker Manufacturing Plant in Greenville. The two oldest daughters stayed in the Chicago area, but the youngest daughter, Gloria, moved with the family to Greenville.
Bill retired in 1980 from Walker. While living in Greenville he belonged to the Rotary Club, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wesley Methodist Church, YMCA and Webb Hill Country Club. He served for several years on the United Way Board, the Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, Fish, and Crimestoppers.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 61 years, Peggy Rose Rodman; his three daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela Joyce and Stephen Lindenmeyer, Linda Margaret and Richard Benesch, and Gloria Sue and Mark Lesmeister; eight grandchildren, Deborah and James Campbell, Karen and Mason Wright, Gwendolyn and Luke Szafranski, Megan, Nina and Kara Sajeske, and John and James Lesmeister; and four great-grandchildren, Dustin Wyatt, James Campbell, Emmett and Amelia Wright.
Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill.
