William George Rheams, Sr., husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away at the age of 93 on June 11, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was an aviator and veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He firmly believed that the B-17, which he piloted on very difficult rescue missions, was the best airplane ever made. He was a great storyteller and left his family with many memories of his adventures. He was a Fellow Emeritus of the Explorer’s Club and a member of the Quiet Birdmen. In addition to the many accomplishments over his career, his family was the greatest treasure of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Beverly Claire Rheams (Nogues); his four children and their spouses: William G. Rheams, Jr., his deceased wife Irene, Stephan Pierre Rheams, and his wife Theresa, Christopher Nogues Rheams, and his wife Amy, Anne Benefiel Rheams, and her wife Anna, Elizabeth Hall Rheams, and her husband Gerald along with his six grand-children and nine great grand-children.
Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17th at 6:00pm. The location is at an airplane hangar at the Lakefront Airport, 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd. New Orleans, 70126. Directions: On Stars and Stripes Blvd., pass the Airport Terminal. Take a left on Igor Sikorsky Drive. Take the first left at the end of the road, then an immediate right. The hangar will be on the left and will have a sign indicating the correct hangar.
To sign the on line guest register, please visit www.Greenwoodfuneralhome.net

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