JOHN E. PILCHER, JR.

John E. Pilcher, Jr., 92, of Panama City, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2009 in his home. He was born on January 9, 1917 in Macon, Georgia. Mr. Pilcher was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Bobbie Newbern Pilcher, his parents, Mr. & Mrs. John E. Pilcher, Sr. and his five older sisters. Mr. Pilcher leaves a daughter and her husband, Christie and Richard Johnson and their son, Reid, one son, John E. Pilcher, III, and his fiancé, Kim Fazzone. Mr. Pilcher was a businessman in the Panama City area for many years before his retirement some years ago. He was a veteran of WWII, where he piloted a B17 and flew 17 missions over Germany. He was shot down on his 17th mission and was a POW in Germany for 16 months until his prison camp was liberated by George Patton. He received a Purple Heart for his service. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John Friedman officiating. A private family burial will follow the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. Those desiring may make memorial donations to Covenant Hospice, 107 W 19th Street, Panama City, FL 32405 or to your favorite charity in memory of John E. Pilcher, Jr. The family would like to send a special thanks to Mr. Pilcher's caregivers, Nell Ard, Sue Starling, Ida Robertson, Edna Huggins and Jeane Sewell.

Wilson Funeral Home