- Date Of Birth: July 4, 1930
- Date Of Death: March 22, 2022
- State: Colorado
William (Bill) R. Poage was born on July 4th 1930 to Marvin Oscar Poage and Alta Mae Poage (Adamson) at Pettysville, Indiana. Surviving Bill is his wife of 71 years, Betty Louise Poage (Riggle) and his three children. His son Steven and his two daughters Patti Beall and Pamela Koschke.
Bill accepted Jesus and was baptized while dating Betty his high school sweetheart in Peru, Indiana. Graduating from Peru High School in 1948. Bill worked at Peru Foundry and on his fathers’ farm until joining the U.S. Air force in 1951. He then graduated as an honors student for the airplane and engine mechanic school and the AC-DC electrical school. His success in school allowed him to continue as a technical instructor, teaching many different aircraft systems. After 4 years of active duty, Bill was honorably discharged in 1955. His adoration for teaching never ceased and in order to continue his previous career he became a civilian technical instructor back at Chanute AFB in Illinois.
In 1958 he took a position at Martin Marietta now Lockheed Martin, to supervise the training courses for the Titan 1 missile. Shortly after, Bill was assigned to the Launch Control Officer course as a supervisor and instructor. Upon completion the entire class was sent to a new AFB training facility at Wichita Falls, Texas. He eventually became the technical representative for both the Launch Control Officer and Maintenance Officer courses.
Returning to Martin years later, he was assigned to prepare a course to update current personnel to the Titan 2 missile. He then declined a position at Martin and moved back to Chanute AFB base in IL. With a chance meeting, Bill was given a position at Lowery AFB and moved back to Littleton before moving to a new career with the AF Department of Defense as a Quality Assurance Specialist with Martin. This allowed him to work alongside other brilliant minds on many space programs specifically the Manned Maneuvering Unit, assuring proper testing and conformance to military standards.
Bill applied for an overseas position and was selected from other applicants to work in Holland as a U.S. Quality Assurance Specialist to assist the Dutch military on the build and testing of a new airplane. The United States, Holland, Denmark, Norway and Belgium worked together providing many parts that were assembled in Holland to create the F-16. After 3 years in Holland with his loving wife Betty. The two moved back to Littleton, CO where Bill retained his previous position at Lockheed Martin.
