Charles A. Bigbee's Obituary
Charles Allen Bigbee, 90, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on March 11, 2013.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 63 years, Gladys V. Bigbee, who died in 2005, his second wife of 7 years, Sue K. Bigbee who died in 2013, and his sister Virginia Sewell.
He was born September 24, 1922 in Los Angeles, Calif. to Alva (Ted) Bigbee
and Bernice Bigbee.
Charles served in the Army Air Corp/Air Force in World War 2 as a B-17 pilot.
He successfully completed 32 missions over Germany with the 15th Air Force
flying out of Foggia, Italy. He had fond memories of those days serving his
country, and great respect for the “Red Tail” fighter planes that provided he and his crew
critical escort to the enemy targets.
Charles is survived by his son, Ted Bigbee and wife Debbie of Fayetteville, AR and daughter, Claudia Andrews and husband Gary of Azle, TX.
Grandchildren include Jason Bigbee of Fayetteville, AR, Scott Andrews and wife Sandy of Chatsworth, CA, Wendi Short and husband Barry of Wingo, KY, and Bunni Hoefel and husband Tom of Fredericksburg, TX. Three Great-Grandchildren, Sarah Short, Bailee Short and Ashley Knight also survive him.
His family will be forever grateful for the kind and loving care he received from the staff of Peachtree Assisted-Living in Farmington, the doctors and staff of Maples in Har-Ber Village, the staff and doctors at NW Medical Center and the Willard Walker Hospice facility in Fayetteville.
A graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Thursday, March 14th at 11:00 AM with Reverend Preston Beeks officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arkansas Air & Military Museum, 4290 South School Avenue Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701-8008.
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