BILLY J. SEWELL

Billy J. Sewell, 77, of Panama City, passed away, Friday, February 10, 2012 at a local hospital. He was born on September 5, 1934 in Gastonia, NC. He served in the United States Air Force for over 30 years, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He was a Vietnam veteran and was dedicated to his fellow Airmen and fellow military brothers and sisters. Although he retired from the USAF in 1983, he continued to be an advocate for all veterans and was a lifetime member of the National Association of Uniformed Services, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 8205), American Legion (Post 356), American Veterans (Post 2298), the Shaddai Shriners and numerous other veteran and non-veteran organizations. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, automobile racing, motorcycles, his pet schnauzer, Schatze who he loving called "Little Bit" and visiting with friends all over the world! He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Ronnie, of Slidell, LA. He is survived by his loving bride of 36 years, Ellen, Panama City; three grown children; Jill Smith, David Sewell and Kelly Sewell all from TX; his grandchildren; his sister-in-law Gerda Mildenberger and two nieces, Beate Mildenberger and Isabell Schieber all from Germany. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2012 in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. There will be no interment following the service, as it was Billy's wish to have his ashes buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. There will be a "Celebration of Life" held at 3 p.m. at the VFW (Post 8205), after the memorial service.