Lt. Col (Ret.) William (“Bill”) Franklin Deavers passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, surrounded by family, after years battling COPD and complications from Agent-Orange-related illnesses. He was born on August 30, 1948, to Anna Louise (Aiken) and William Purser Deavers in Bethesda, Maryland. Growing up, Bill enjoyed wild adventures in southern California with his two younger brothers, John and Richard, and acquired a love for fast cars and motorcycles. Bill was a dedicated Boy Scout and earned the Eagle Scout rank before graduating from Hawthorne High School. He settled into the 1960s surf scene before receiving his draft notice from the US Armed Forces. Bill entered the US Army as a Private in May 1968 and applied to Helicopter Pilot Flight School. Bill served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam, where he was repeatedly shot down by enemy fire. For his outstanding bravery and service, Bill was awarded the recipient of numerous medals and awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, Defense and Service Meritorious Medals, Air Medals, the Army Commendation and Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, three Bronze Service Stars, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Choosing to continue in his service to the country, Bill remained in the Army, where he received a BS in Aerospace, an MA in Computer Resource Management, and an MS in Systems Management. He served in leadership roles with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), DoD ADP, Aviation, Aviation Logistics, and tactical and strategic missile systems. Following his retirement from the Army in 1988, he built a successful career in business development. He was four days from retiring from KPMG when he passed away. During his later years, Bill enjoyed tending to his bee farm, boating, detailing vehicles, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His parents, two brothers, and a sister, Pamela Smith, predeceased him. Bill is survived by his daughters, Heather Marie and Kristin Ann Deavers, and two grandsons, Cillian and Callum Gray, of Fairfax, Virginia. Additionally, he is survived by two sisters, Ann Guzman of Emmett, Idaho, and Patricia Deavers of Winfield, Kansas. Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Surfrider Foundation. Please indicate the gift is in memory of Lt. Col/Ret William F. Deavers. Also, visit our guestbook for Bill at DignityMemorial.com.
