Wilson L. Managhan, 72

Wilson L. Managhan passed away at home due to a heart attack on Jan. 30, 2008, at the age of 72.

Wil is survived by his wife, Linda Managhan; his two daughters and husbands, Cheri and Mark Simko, and Sandra and Jeff Miguel; two stepdaughters, Jackie Maben and Jenny Logan; and had one other daughter, Becky Managhan, and stepdaughter, Laurie Maben, both of whom preceded him in death. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren.

Wil was born Sept. 17, 1935, and raised in Kalispell, where he ranched with his father and mother. He was an only child who attended Washington State College at Pullman, Wash., for two years, then went on to the University of Montana on a baseball scholarship.

He learned to fly in Missoula, while in ROTC, and was trained to be a private pilot. He joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the University of Montana, where he flew tankers, jets, KC97s as a co-pilot, and worked his way up to pilot and aircraft commander.

He fought in the Vietnam War and was stationed in the Philippines, but spent most of his career at Travis AFB. Wilson flew C-5A aircraft and served his country faithfully for 23 years. He continued to farm the family ranch after he retired from the military, until his passing.

Wilson was a family man who loved sports, fishing, camping, huckleberry picking and the outdoors in general. He loved to celebrate life, lived for his family and will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. today, Feb. 6, at the Community United Methodist Church at 1875 Fairfield Avenue, Fairfield, Calif., with full military honors graveside services to follow at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery in Dixon at 1:30 p.m.

Donations may be mailed to the disabled American Veterans at P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn.: Gift Processing, or online at www.dav.org/donations/donate.html