[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL BILL RHEA STARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2012

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and 
Representative Phil Roe, I submit these remarks in honor of Lieutenant 
Colonel Bill Rhea Starnes, a veteran and distinguished pilot, who was 
prematurely taken from us on August 24, 2012.
  As a member of both the United States Air Force and the Tennessee 
Army National Guard, Bill gallantly served our country for 39 years. At 
the ripe old age of 14, his love for aviation was first cultivated when 
his father taught him how to fly a plane. After graduating from East 
Tennessee State University, Bill continued his flight training at Fort 
Rucker in Alabama. Following flight school, Bill served in Vietnam, 
where he flew approximately 800 combat hours. In 2005 and 2006, he was 
deployed to Kosovo. Throughout his military career, Bill demonstrated 
the courage, fortitude, and wisdom that a nation prays for and a 
military dreams of having. He was the recipient of nearly 50 awards 
including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and air 
medals with valor and army commendation.
  Even down to his voicemail--``Hello, it's Bill. Learn as if you will 
live forever, and live as if you will die tomorrow,''--Bill embodied a 
strong desire to live life to the fullest. Though he didn't reside in 
the Ninth District, I assure you, Bill was an active member of our 
community. As the chief pilot for K-VA-T Food Stores and Central Coal 
Company, he was even said to be a ``fixture'' at the Virginia Highlands 
Airport.
  A committed family man, a man who loved God and his country, and a 
friend of many, Bill will be greatly missed by his colleagues and those 
he served. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Lisa; his two 
sons; his father; his family; and his friends.
  Well known for his exceptional goodwill and dedication to the United 
States military and our community, I am honored to pay tribute to this 
man's many contributions. His legacy and influence will be long 
remembered throughout our region.

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