MAY 2, 1956 – DECEMBER 23, 2008 Captain William E. Yeager, Jr., 52 of Pace, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2008. Bill was born in New York City and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio when he was 2 years old. After graduation from St. Xavier High School, he was appointed from the state of Ohio to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the class of 1978 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received his initial flight training from NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL, and later received his Wings of Gold at Corpus Christi, TX in March of 1980. His 30 year Naval career included duty stations on the East Coast, the West Coast, Italy, Japan and the Gulf Coast. He was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Edward, Sr. and Anne E. Yeager. He is survived by his wife of 29 ” years, Karen Taylor Yeager of Pace; three sons, William Michael (Sallie) Yeager of Austin, TX, Andrew Joseph Yeager of Los Angeles, CA, and Matthew Taylor Yeager, currently attending Florida State University; three brothers, Stephen (Moira) Yeager, Thomas Yeager, and Christopher Yeager, all of Cincinnati; one sister, Barbara (Whitten) Gardner of Cincinnati; one uncle, Ronald (Madeline) Hall of Cave Creek, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel. Rosary will begin at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 10:00 am at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel with Father John Licari and Chaplain Randy Cash officiating. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with Military Honors. Honorary pallbearers will be Knights of Columbus Council 8450. Contributions are encouraged and may be made to Escambia County Schools Foundation of Excellence. http://foundation.escambia.k12.fl.us/howtohelp/cash.htm Friends may send condolences and share fond memories with the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.net.