Lt. Col. William C. Pfeifer

Lt. Col. William C. Pfeifer (USAF Ret.), 81, Topeka, passed away Thurs., Dec. 27, 2012. William was born Jan. 26, 1931 in Callicoon NY, the son of Constant and Lillian Connors Pfeifer. He was a 1949 graduate of Delaware Valley Central High School and, since entering the US Air Force, earned his BGE degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his MBA from George Washington University in Washington DC. On May 23, 1953, William and Kathleen Patricia Murray were united in marriage in Whitestone Long Island NY. Kathleen preceded William in death on Aug. 4, 2005. William retired from the Air Force after more than 20 years service. Prior to retirement, Lt. Col. Pfeifer was assigned at Forbes AFB, Topeka KS, where he was a C-130 Hercules cargo-troop carrier navigator with the 47th Tactical Airlift Squadron and executive officer for the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps summer encampment program. Commissioned through the aviation cadet program, he is aeronautically rated as a master navigator. In addition to assignments at various stateside bases, the lieutenant colonel has served at Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, on Guam, Okinawa and in Thailand. Lt. Col. Pfeifer holds among his awards and decorations, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 awards of the Air Medal, and the USAF Commendation Medal. Following retirement from the Air Force, William earned his law degree from Washburn University and worked for Shawnee County in the District Court Trustees office, from which he retired after 10 years service. William is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Survivors include, his daughters, Belinda Clark, Gale Troth, Diana McDowell (Rick), Helen Eickholt (Larry), Barbara Coffee (Tom), and Donna Gutierrez (Richard); son, Bill Pfeifer (Linda); 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Henry Pfeifer. A parish rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. Sun. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614, where family will greet friends until 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Mon. at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Church, sent in care of the funeral home.

Lt. Col. William C. Pfeifer

January 1, 1753 - December 30, 2012