Colonel Robert Burton Willingham received his heavenly wings on August 27, 2015. The Colonel was born August 15, 1926 in Holliday, Texas to John Robert Willingham and Bessie Lois Miller Willingham. Burton grew up in Archer County, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 8, 1945 and served in Europe at the end of World War II. After the war, he was discharged from the Army and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was also a veteran of the wars in Korea and Viet Nam. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a full Colonel on June 1, 1966. The Colonel also served with the Civil Air Patrol and was an avid Ham Radio operator.

The Colonel was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received in Korea. Burt was at the front visiting friends when the Chinese Communist attacked. He and everyone else there was given a rifle and ordered into foxholes. A mortar shell landed in his foxhole and seriously injured his legs. He spent much time convalescing in hospital in Japan and San Antonio. Burt was also awarded a Bronze Star and many other medal for his service.

The Colonel also was a witness to a UFO in about 1955 when he was piloting an F-86 Sabre jet escorting a B-47 Stratojet Bomber over West Texas. They were flying a cold war simulated bombing run on the Soviet Union. This incident was memorialized in the 2008 book, The Other Roswell, UFO Crash on the Texas-Mexico Border, written by Noe Torres and Ruben Urirte.

Burt was an accomplished musician who loved to play guitar and fiddle among other instruments. He was a fixture at area Jamborees and pioneer gatherings at the rodeos. Burton also repaired guitars and fiddles.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents and dear friend, Jane Seay. He is survived by his son, Robert B. Willingham in Enola, Pennsylvania and a daughter, Peggy Willingham Hunter of Middleton, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by several cousins and many friends and comrades from Ira Jones Post 198 of the American Legion in Archer City. The Colonel had been a member of the post for over 50 years.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015, at the Archer City Cemetery Pavilion with Dan Reddick, Pastor of Archer City Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.

The family suggests memorials to the American Legion Post 198, P.O. Box 1001, Archer City, Texas 76351 or the Archer Service Center, P.O. Box 578, Archer City, Texas 76351.