Southborough – William S. Titus, formerly of Butler, Penn., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at age 87, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born May 14, 1926 to the late Mary (Headland) and Frank C. Titus of Butler, Penn. He graduated from Butler High School and, after returning from the military, attended Grove City College.
On Dec. 23, 1943, Bill enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 2518th AAF BU. He attended Gunnery School in Fort Myers, Fla. He received the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and WWII Victory Ribbon. He was honorably discharged June 12, 1944.
Bill re-enlisted June 15, 1949 in the U.S. Air Force and attended flight training on the AT6 in Waco, Texas. He was deployed in the Korean War and stationed in Japan at Tachikawa base as part of the 13th Air Transport Support Unit.
After leaving the military June 22 1953, Bill obtained a job with Eastern Air Lines, where he flew as a commercial pilot for 35 years before retiring in 1988 as a captain. He was skilled to fly aircraft ranging from M404, L188 Electra, DC8, B727, and L1011.
Bill's interests included jogging, biking, and the outdoors. He went camping with his family several times on Mount Desert Island and around the New York State Finger Lakes. He enjoyed biking the carriage roads of Acadia National Park.
He was a member of the Butler Masonic Lodge, Rails-to-Trails, and the Nature Conservancy
He is survived by his wife, Lucille (Denton) Titus; a son Robert H. Titus and his wife Ilene of Southborough; two grandsons, Robert H. Titus Jr. and his wife Lindsey, and Will Titus; his sister, Joan (Chew) Titus; and extended family, Kellie, Tim, Darin, Kim, Pat, Tyler, and Jarrett. He was predeceased by his son, William B. Titus.
Calling hours will be Aug. 23, at 4 p.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough. A funeral home service will follow at 5 p.m. with military honors.
Memorials in Bill's name may be given to any of the following: Rails-to-Trails, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, or Alzheimer's research.
