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William August “Bill” Hardenstine 

1922 – December 18, 2023

William August “Bill” Hardenstine, Retired Vice-President of Sales at World Airways of Oakland, CA, boarded his “Final Flight” on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the age of 101.

William was born in Jersey City, NJ, in 1922 and moved to Stroudsburg, PA, as a baby.  He grew up there, graduating from Stroudsburg High School in the 1930s.  While growing up, he worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad in the summers and attended New York University (NYU) in 1940-43.  Bill enlisted in the Navy and attended Officer Training School, and following graduation, was assigned to the USS Harry Lee in August 1944.  He later served aboard the USS Crescent and Agerholm until June 1948.  Bill then entered the Naval Reserve and returned to NYU, earning his Bachelor of Science in Transportation.  He was then recalled into the Navy and served on the USS Gattling, the USS Sierra, and the USS Chipola during the Korean War. Bill served until he was honorably discharged from the Navy in August 1957.

For the next 36+ years, Bill worked for two charter airlines, Overseas National Airlines (ONA) and World Airways.  As the Senior Vice-President of Sales at World Airways, he worked with dignitaries worldwide to establish the World’s charter airline service.  Bill was instrumental in planning and executing the historic transportation of refugees from Vietnam by World Airways at the end of the Vietnam War.  Following his retirement from World Airways, he was recruited by Trans-International Airlines (TIA) as President, where he served until his retirement in 2000.

Bill survived two wives, Helen and Anna-Maria, and many of his dear friends.  Following his retirement, he became head of repairs and maintenance for six apartment buildings in Oakland until 2012, when he moved with his wife Anna-Maria to Lake Park.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Andrea Sue Johnston and Sherry Hardenstine Jacobs, and her husband Scott; his Grandchildren, Joshua, Brook, Anthony, and Delana; and his Great-Grandchildren, Blake and Beckham.

Everywhere Bill went, he made long-lasting friends. He always remained optimistic and concerned about his appearance, and his smile was infectious.  Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him!

 

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                                   Sarena Likecia Grimes

November 20, 2023

Regretfully, I inform you that Sarena Likecia Grimes boarded her “Final Flight” on Monday, November 20, 2023.  Sarena flew the friendly skies at WOA for approximately five years in the early 2000’s.  She leaves behind three beautiful children and two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on November 30, 2023, at 11:00am at the New Springfield Baptist Church, 2560 Sylvan Rd. in Atlanta, GA.  Interment followed at Lakeside Memorial Gardens, 7780 Uno Rd. in Palmetto, GA.

Please keep Sarena’s family in your prayers.

 

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Jan Wollett

September 28, 2023

               

Following a battle with cancer, World Airways Flight Attendant Jan Wollett boarded her “Final Flight” on September 28th, 2023, in Lebanon, Oregon.  Jan flew on the “Last Flight From DaNang” with Ed Daly in 1975, that made World Airways famous for enabling the escape of many Vietnamese from VietNam.   Jan and fellow flight attendant Valerie Witherspoon were recently honored and proud to be part of a British Documentary Movie about VietNam that is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Jan is survived by her sister Susann who lives in Palo Alto, CA. 

Jan’s close friend Nancy Peppin invites you to visit “Jan Wollett’s Memorial Website”.  This website serves as a place of connection for those touched by Jan’s life and passing. It allows the people who loved her to remember, celebrate her life, and support one another during this difficult time.  This website serves as a place of connection for those touched by Jan’s life and passing. It allows the people who loved her to remember, celebrate her life, and support one another during this difficult time.

Click this web address to visit Jan’s Memorial:     jan-wollett.forevermissed.com

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Johan (John) Erick Mechanicus

March 22, 1935 – August 16, 2023

Kevin Rogan has reported the “Final Flight” of one of World Airways’ European members, John Mechanicas, has been found by Russ Sadler. 

At some point a few years ago John went into a nursing home near Zaventem, Belgium.  Unfortunately, the obituary is not written in English.  If anyone has information regarding John’s departure, has access to the obituary, or can possibly provide a translation of the obituary, please contact me at yourdalybread@gmail.com  

May John Rest in Peace

 

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James “Jim” A.  Smith

April 5, 1934 – July 23, 2023

James (Jim) A. Smith of Hickory, North Carolina passed away at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke. Jim died peacefully on July 23, 2023 with his loving wife, Linda, and family by his side.

Jim was born in Knoxdale, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1934, to George and Grace Smith. The oldest of four children, Jim graduated from Marienville High School and went on to study aircraft maintenance at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. There, he began his lifelong love of serving his community by fixing broken things.

Jim began his 50-plus year career in aviation when he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served our country as an airplane mechanic. While serving in the Air Force, Jim’s first child, Heidi, was born. After serving our country, Jim joined American Airlines in 1959 as an airplane mechanic. In the years that followed, Jim’s sons, Kenneth and Jacob were born. In 1978, Jim married the love of his life, Linda. At that time, sons John and Brian joined the family.

Jim’s desire to advance in the field of aviation and his commitment to provide the utmost for his family led him to go back to school. After working all day for American Airlines, Jim attended Texas Wesleyan University at night and attained a bachelor’s degree in management in 1975.

By all accounts, Jim’s career in aviation was rewarding and exciting. During his 31 years at American Airlines, Jim and his family lived in several places, but spent the majority of Jim’s career living in Dallas, Texas. By the time Jim retired from American Airlines, he was an Assistant Vice President of Maintenance. After his retirement from American Airlines in 1990, Jim relocated with his family to Herndon, Virginia and became Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering with World Airways.

In 1998, Jim retired from full time work, but continued as an aviation consultant. He and Linda returned to Jim’s birthplace in Western Pennsylvania and built a home on 22 acres that sat atop a high hill, affectionately called Smith Mountain by his family. There, Jim rediscovered his love of hunting, fishing and playing cards with family and friends. Jim also began to volunteer at the Salvation Army in hopes he could somehow repay the charity given to him and his family during his childhood when Jim’s father was injured and unable to work.

In 2014, he relocated to Hickory, North Carolina and moved into a home on Lake Hickory. Jim and Linda settled into “lake life” and welcomed the opportunity to host family and friends. A mechanic through and through, Jim continued to repair anything and everything he deemed to be broken and proudly served in the Ruritan Club of Bethlehem. Jim and Linda also enjoyed many fun nights of bingo and fellowship with friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Smith, sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Miller and Emma (Jean) Fiscus, daughter Heidi Bauer, and granddaughter Heather McLaughlin. He is survived by his wife, Linda Smith, children Kenneth Smith, Jacob Smith, John (Jennifer) Smith and Brian (Rebecca) Smith as well as nine cherished grandchildren, six adored great grandchildren, his beloved German Shepard Maggie, and countless people who loved and were loved by Jim as if he were their own father and grandfather.

Services will be held August 12, 2023, at Jenkins Funeral Home, 4081 Startown Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. A reception following the service will be at the Hickory Elks Lodge, 356 Main Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601.

In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Jim’s lifelong commitment to family, community and helping others can make donations to the Salvation Army by clicking here.

 

Randolph A. Holloway

August 24, 1956 – May 28, 2023

The Family of Randolph “Randy” Holloway announce that he boarded his “Final Flight” on May 28, 2023.

Randy was a Technical Operations Engineer for World Airways in Peachtree City, GA. 

There was a “Public Viewing” held on Friday, June 2, with the family present at the Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, GA. 

A “Celebration of Life” was conducted on June 3, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 101 Jackson St. NE in Atlanta, GA followed by Interment at the Lincoln Cemetery, 2275 Joseph E. Bodine Blvd. NW in Atlanta.

Please keep Randy’s family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

 

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Richard Walsh

May 11, 2023

Kevin Rogan reports that Richard Walsh boarded his “Final Flight” early in the morning of May 11, 2023.  Richard worked in World Maintenance Control from July 2001, until December, 2010.  He then became an Aircraft Maintenance Consultant for Walsh Aviation Services, Inc. United States Air Force, in Payson, Arizona. 

No further details are available at this time and no services are currently planned. 

Condolences and/or Sympathy Cards may be sent to: 

Deborah Walsh, 800 Candlelight Dr.  Apt. 3C, Bel Air, MD, 21014

 More Information Will Be Provided When it Becomes Available

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    Louella Jean “Jeannie” Wiseman

March 6, 2023

Dee Birtcil reported that Flight Attendant Louella Jean “Jeannie” Wagers Wiseman, wife of Captain Johnny Wiseman, boarded her “Final Flight” on March 6, 2023, following a long illness.  Jeannie began her Flight Attendant career in 1962, and was #2 on the World Airways seniority list until her retirement in 1992.   Jeannie was 88 years old.

More Information Will be Provided When it Becomes Available

 

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                      Jerry Robert Pappe

September 2, 1933 – March 2, 2023

Bob Pirog reported that he had been notified by Patrick Pappe that his Uncle, Flight Engineer Jerry “Mountain Man” Pappe boarded his “Final Flight” on March 2, 2023, following a fatal heart attack.  Jerry was 89 years Old.

Jerry was born in Oklahoma City, OK on September 2, 1933, to George Phillip Pappe and Mary Clasen Pappe and was the youngest of five children.  The family moved to Jamieson, OR in 1937, where they homesteaded 160 acres of what would become farmland.  In 1943 Jerry and his mother and father moved to Twin Falls, ID to help take care of his grandmother until she passed away in 1945 when they moved back to Vale, OR.  Jerry attended Catholic school and worked on his older brother’s cattle ranch.  He graduated from Vale Union High School in 1952 and joined the U.S. Army Airborne where he served until he received an honorable discharge in 1956 as a Senior Parachutist, Parachute Rigger, and a Jumpmaster with 36 jumps.

Jerry then attended Aircraft and Engine Maintenance and Flight Engineer school in Tulsa, OK and in 1958 was hired by American Airlines in Los Angeles as an A&P Mechanic and Flight Engineer.  When American Airlines moved their training to Texas Jerry went to work for Western Airlines in Los Angeles as a Flight Engineer Training Instructor.  Later Jerry worked for several different airlines flying all over the world until going to work at World Airways in 1995 until he retired in 2001, when he settled in Sprague River, OR, where he lived until boarding his “Final Flight” on March 2, 2023.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the Catholic Church in Malin, OR later this spring.

More Information Will be Provided When it Becomes Available

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Michael Runnels 

January 10, 2023

Lisa Runnels has reported that her brother and World Airways Flight Attendant Michael Runnels boarded his “Final Flight” on January 10, 2023. 

Michael was born in Bowie, Texas, on October 27, 1969.  He graduated from Bowie High School in 1988, and while in high school Michael took part in Nina Davlin & FHA, serving as an officer in each organization.  He very much enjoyed One Act Play, he played football and tennis and was a proud member of the Bowie High School Band all four years.

After high school Michael traveled the world as a flight attendant for World Airways before returning to his home town.

Michael’s sister Lisa Runnels also graduated from Bowie High School in the Class of 1993, and Michael was the uncle of Brandon Runnels, RIP, Class of 2014.

There are no services planned at this time. 

Our Condolences and Deepest Sympathy and Prayers Go Out to Michael’s family.