William David Hartzler

Bill was born Aug. 9, 1925, and died on Dec. 13, 2019, at home in his sleep, with his beloved wife of 43 years Kathryn by his side.

Bill went to Clinton, MO H.S., played the clarinet in the school band and the town band, and graduated in 1943.  Like other red-blooded boys of the time, after graduation he signed up for the military to fight in WW II.  He chose the Navy and was accepted into a pilot training program.  He flew all the great old planes of that time, such as the Corsair, but the war ended before he got the chance to go overseas.  The Navy asked him to stay in the service and continue flying;  it was very tempting, but he wanted to go to college, so turned down the offer.

With the help of the G.I. Bill, he attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO, where he graduated in three years, majoring in history and government and minoring in French.  After graduation in 1948, he headed to New York to attend Columbia University, where he earned his Master’s degree in International Affairs.

He began his career with the Government in 1951 with the Air Force Office of Intelligence in Washington, DC, and in 1961 transferred to the Air Battle Analysis Division, which became the USAF Assistant Chief of Staff, Studies and Analysis, where he served until his retirement, at which he was awarded the Air Force's highest honor given to civilians, the Meritorious Civilian Service medal. 

Music was always a big part of Bill’s life, especially choral music.  Central Methodist had a conservatory and he was recruited to sing tenor in the A Capella Choir and enjoyed touring with them throughout Missouri.  Here he was inducted into the national honorary music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  He continued singing his whole life -- in the church choir and for 22 years in the Paul Hill Chorale's seasons at the Kennedy Center, Wolftrap, and, yes, even Carnegie Hall.

But besides work and singing, Bill had other talents.  He was a very talented do-it-yourselfer.  He could–and did–do framing, drywalling, electricity, plumbing, ceramic tiling, and wood flooring; putting up siding; installing windows and doors; and of course “minor” projects like painting and wallpapering.  

He was a member of his church for more than 60 years, serving as a deacon and in many other roles.  He also was involved in community affairs, serving as an election officer for more than 20 years, as PTA president at Woodburn School, on the boards of the Holmes Run Acres Civic Association and the HRARA Pool, and as a swim team referee.

In addition to all that, he and Kathryn hosted over several years the teenagers of five families--two French, two German, and one Swiss-Slovenian to improve their English and experience America.  They and these families have visited back and forth with each other for the past 40 years and become close friends.  His degree in International Affairs came in handy after all!

He is survived by children Mark Hartzler (Christi), Bruce Hartzler, Lynne Hartzler, Wendy Hush (Lee); stepson Sean Magee; eight grandchildren; sister Dorothy Harryman (Willard); and his first wife Connie Sanford.  He is predeceased by two sisters, Helen Collins and Mary Catherine Barnett.

A service will be held Sat., Nov. 6, 11:30 AM, Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Tpke, Annandale, VA.

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