William Salisbury Bissell, 82
William Salisbury Bissell, 82, "danced into the arms of Jesus' at 11 minutes to 11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at the Edgewood Vista Senior Living in Kalispell. He was born on April 8, 1926, in Thomasville, Ga., to Theodore and Isabel (Veitch) Bissell. Bill grew up in Griffin, Ga., with his brother, Bob, and sister, Sally.
He joined the Army Air Corps in 1944, being honorably discharged in 1946. He then attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1952.
Bill married his college sweetheart, Mary, on Aug. 25, 1951, in Hyattsville, Md.
Bill turned his love of building model airplanes into a career when he joined Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, Calif., working in the Advanced Development Project ("Skunkworks") section. He helped design the U2, SR71 and the F-117A, among several others. Bill retired after 40 "fun-tastic" years!
Bill loved Jesus very much. He sang in church choirs, taught Bible classes and was a leading Elder. He was a scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts program for 20 years. He loved traveling, the outdoors and played chess by mail for 40 years.
Bill and Mary moved to Bigfork in 1991 to be closer to their family and good friends, Marv and Pat Bennett, where he enjoyed gardening, playing pool with friends and many church activities.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Bissell, of Bigfork; three sons, Steve and wife, Bonny, of Oregon, Eric and wife, Karen, of Oregon, and Don and wife, Cindy, of Bigfork; and a daughter, Debbie Fulford, and husband, Kirk, of Bigfork; a brother, Bob; one sister, Sally; seven grandchildren, Michael, Daniel, Sheila, Ben, Israel, Shaunna and Hannah; three great-grandchildren, Alena, Kylie and Elliot; as well as many other relatives and friends.
"The wing designer has been given his own wings!"
Memorial services for Bill will be held at noon on Friday, Jan. 16, in the Bigfork Chapel, with Pastor Richard Stewart officiating.
The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Edgewood Vista Senior Living, c/o Bill Bissell Memorial Bus Fund, 141 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901. These funds will be used for much needed transportation to enrich the lives of Bill's fellow residents.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Bill's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Bill's guest book.