William 'Bill' Arthur Albro

William (Bill) A. Albro, Colonel USAF Ret., passed away on August 5th, 2019, at Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA, after losing his battle with cancer.  Born in Newport, RI on September 30th, 1939, Bill was the son of the late Arthur A. and Louise (Deblois) Albro, JR, and enjoyed his childhood along with his two sisters Phyllis (Raymond) Armbrust, and the late Linda (Bob) Burkitt.

He started his relationship with the military in JR. ROTC at Rodgers High School in Newport RI., and enlisted in the Army Reserves upon HS graduation in 1957, rising to the rank of Corporal.  He was in Air Force ROTC at Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and received a regular commission into the Air Force in June of 1961.   He married Judith (Gillam) in September of 1961 and reported to his first duty assignment as a graduate student at MIT.  They raised their two sons, Thomas and Todd, on various Air Force Bases throughout the country.   Bill spent the first half of his Air Force Career in Air Weather Service, serving in Vietnam from 1964 to 1965.  He would later return to SE Asia for several deployments from 1970-73.  He transferred into the Missile Field in 1978 and was stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota. Serving in the 91st Strategic Missile Wing in various positions including, Combat Crew Commander, Squadron Commander 740th Strategic Missile Squadron, and Director of Operations.  His final assignment was to the 485th Tactical Missile Wing where he served as Vice Wing Commander and retired as Acting Wing Commander.

Post Air Force, Bill worked in international business in Oman, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, before ultimately retiring in Olympia, Washington.  He fulfilled is dream of serving as a priest and was Ordained in the Anglican Church in August of 2006, with Judy by his side until her passing in 2010.  Father Bill served as the Rector of two congregations in Olympia and Gig Harbor WA, and was active in Prison Ministries and serving the needs of the elderly in retirement homes.

In addition to his ongoing service to the Anglican Church, Bill enjoyed gardening with his wife Sumi (Kim) whom he married in 2014, and spending time with his family.  He is survived by his wife Sumi (Kim), sons: Tom (Tina), Todd (Deanna), step sons: Ron and Randy, grandchildren: Nathanial, Kelsey (Kai), Sarah (Nick), Nicole, Luke and step grandson Ronnie.

Memorial service to be held 11:00 AM on Friday, August 23rd at St Alban’s Anglican Church (meeting in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church building), 3315 S 19th ST. Tacoma, WA 98405.  Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.  The family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.

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