IN LOVING MEMORY OF
William Francis
"Frank" Coleman
August 17, 2009
Obituary
WILLIAM FRANCIS COLEMAN
William Francis "Frank" Coleman, Col USAF (Ret), 91, a member of "The Greatest Generation" passed away on 17 August 2009.
The eldest son of M.A. "Pop" and Lou Ellen Coleman a Panama City founding family, he graduated from Bay County High School in 1935 and entered the US Military Academy at West Point graduating with the Class of 1940. Following graduation he married Margaret Camille Thornton of Dothan, AL and had five children.
Following commissioning, 2nd Lt Coleman joined the Army Air Corps and in 1942 he was assigned to the Pacific Theater of operations.
For his heroic actions while engaged in aerial combat in the vicinity of Rabaul Island he was awarded the Army's highest medal for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
By 1945 after a meteoric rise to Lt. Col in 5 years he transitioned to the Air Force after it was formed in 1946.
Promoted to Colonel in 1954 he commanded the Strategic Air Commands (SAC) 98th Bomb Wing that set several long range deployment firsts.
He was subsequently assigned to and graduated from the British Imperial Defense College. His last assignment before retiring in 1959 was with the SAC 7th Air Division.
Returning to Panama City he took over the management of the Gulf Oil distributorship that was set up by his father in 1909.
Active in the community, he was a member of Rotary Club and served as President and later as an Area Assistant to the District Governor and received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
He was also member of the Military Affairs Committee, headed the Education Committee, served as a VP of the Chamber of Commerce and participated in other activities to include the United Way.
An avid hunter, golfer and fisherman, he enjoyed many close friends, from Panama City and the surrounding area.
He is survived by his sister Martha White in Panama City, FL; his daughter Elsa Blades in Clifton, VA; his son Bill Coleman in Panama City, FL; his daughter Julie Abernathy in Jefferson GA; 8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.
A Viewing will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, 20 August at the Wilson Funeral Home.
A Mass beginning at 2 pm will be held on Friday 21 August at St Bernadette Church 1214 Moylan Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Graveside and military services will immediately follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens 3733 U.S. Hwy 231 North Panama City, FL 32404
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Cancer Society, 4001 W 23rd Street, Suite C, Panama City, FL 32405.
Wilson Funeral Home
William Francis "Frank" Coleman, Col USAF (Ret), 91, a member of "The Greatest Generation" passed away on 17 August 2009.
The eldest son of M.A. "Pop" and Lou Ellen Coleman a Panama City founding family, he graduated from Bay County High School in 1935 and entered the US Military Academy at West Point graduating with the Class of 1940. Following graduation he married Margaret Camille Thornton of Dothan, AL and had five children.
Following commissioning, 2nd Lt Coleman joined the Army Air Corps and in 1942 he was assigned to the Pacific Theater of operations.
For his heroic actions while engaged in aerial combat in the vicinity of Rabaul Island he was awarded the Army's highest medal for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
By 1945 after a meteoric rise to Lt. Col in 5 years he transitioned to the Air Force after it was formed in 1946.
Promoted to Colonel in 1954 he commanded the Strategic Air Commands (SAC) 98th Bomb Wing that set several long range deployment firsts.
He was subsequently assigned to and graduated from the British Imperial Defense College. His last assignment before retiring in 1959 was with the SAC 7th Air Division.
Returning to Panama City he took over the management of the Gulf Oil distributorship that was set up by his father in 1909.
Active in the community, he was a member of Rotary Club and served as President and later as an Area Assistant to the District Governor and received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
He was also member of the Military Affairs Committee, headed the Education Committee, served as a VP of the Chamber of Commerce and participated in other activities to include the United Way.
An avid hunter, golfer and fisherman, he enjoyed many close friends, from Panama City and the surrounding area.
He is survived by his sister Martha White in Panama City, FL; his daughter Elsa Blades in Clifton, VA; his son Bill Coleman in Panama City, FL; his daughter Julie Abernathy in Jefferson GA; 8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.
A Viewing will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, 20 August at the Wilson Funeral Home.
A Mass beginning at 2 pm will be held on Friday 21 August at St Bernadette Church 1214 Moylan Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Graveside and military services will immediately follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens 3733 U.S. Hwy 231 North Panama City, FL 32404
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Cancer Society, 4001 W 23rd Street, Suite C, Panama City, FL 32405.
Wilson Funeral Home
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