Honorees

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Year Honored
2011
Honoree
William Montgomery
Agency
Southwest Med Evac
Agency City
Las Cruces
Agency State
NM
Last Call
2/5/10
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
William Howard Montgomery learned to fly in the Army while serving in the Vietnam War. He went on to attend Indiana University where he met his wife of 38 years, Linda. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Bill continued to fly with the National Guard and retired a Major. He flew commercial aircraft for over 20 years and held many pilot certificates. Bill also flew for "America's Toughest Sheriff" as a pilot in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Although Bill's life revolved around aviation, it was not his only love. He loved to play golf, ride his motorcycle, and loved his friends and his four daughters and three granddaughters. He also loved to sail. He was active in the Marina Venice Yacht Club and served as it's Fleet Captain and Director.<br /> <br /> Montgomery was recently hired by Southwest Med Evac and had completed the company's initial pilot-in-command and night vision goggle training. He and two other crewmembers were onboard the helicopter participating in a two-day training exercise at Fort Bliss Military Reservation. The helicopter was equipped with state of the art navigation and GPS systems and all crewmembers used night vision goggles. On a final approach the helicopter appeared to catch fire and crash. Bill and his fellow crewmembers were killed in the crash.<br /> <br /> Honored 2011