Willard (Bud) Sloney:
CLASS OF 1964
Battle Creek Central High SchoolClass of 1964
Battle creek, MI
Antelope Valley CollegeClass of 2010
Lancaster, CA
Northrop Institute of TechnologyClass of 1970
Inglewood, CA
Willard (Bud)'s Story
Life
Hi !
I used to be called 'buddy' when I was in grade schools thru high school. That nickname migrated to 'BUD', as everyone who I have been in contact with throughout the years has known me.
Just after High School - BCCHS "Bearcats" / Yea, GO Bearcats!! /, I joined up with the Air Force to begin my career as an aircraft mechanic. I trained at Chanute AFB in Rantoul Illinois, and volunteered for overseas duty (When and Where else would I ever get a chance to see the world) , not knowing that the Viet Nam conflict was starting to heat up / that was in early 1965 / Well, I was fortunate enough to be chosen for an aircraft Pneudraulic Repairman in the Canal Zone, Republic of Panama stationed at Howard AFB. I loved the warm tropical climate and weather so much, that I chose to try to extend my 1 1/2 yr tour by one year, and was accepted to stay in South America. That probably was a good thing, otherwise I may have been stationed in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, or who knows where else during the heated up war which was going on in SE Asia. I bought my first motorcycle in the C.Z. , it was a Honda Dream '65 with 150cc of FULL power. I had a nice time visiting the countryside, locks, and one time I traversed the canal from south to north. Lush jungle all around me and lots of nature to explore, which I did. I loved walking thru the jungle and seeing all the wild creatures in their natural state.
After my 2 1/2 yrs were up, they sort of mentioned to me that since my overseas duty was more than accounted for that I would have my choice of Stateside Bases to go to for the completion of my regular duty (4yrs). I chose March AFB at Riverside , CA and was accepted to S.A.C. / Strategic Air Command / at March. The reason I chose California is that my parents had moved from Michigan upon my Moms promotion to District Office Main Secretary - Western Div. of FAA at Ontario, CA. I lived at home for that last eleven months of my duty. Lucky me, a Sergeant was due to come home the same/similar dates which I was to come home, and wanted to know if I might share a car ride up thru Central America to the States, and I jumped at the chance, and we applied for and received our passports, and was on our way in his '65 Mustang. Travel was nice up the Pan American Highway, except the first road on the other side of the Panamanian border changed to Gravel, and must have lasted about 120 miles. Rough Wide Awakening ! The road cleared up after that first section and was paved all the way to Brownsville, TX. The car was broken into in Nicaragua / Managua / and everything in the back seat was...Expand for more
gone. Other than that, our trip became a once in a lifetime journey.
While at March, I met my to be wife Patti. I was there for 6mos., and was told that our unit was being temporarily moved to GUAM - Andersen AFB /to work on all of the B-52 Bomber Aircraft which were being sent there to assist in the continual bombing of Vietnam.
We sent 6 Bombers off Every 6 hours around the clock in the 4 months that I was stationed there. Lucky me again!, I was back in Calif. two months and was due to be Honorably discharged from Active Duty............. just in the nick of time. I Got out Oct. 1968, and got married in Dec. 1968 to Patricia.
I had plans to further my education in Aerospace Maintenance, since the AF had shown me my high level of mechanical aptitude, and me and my new bride moved to Inglewood, CA where I attended Northrop Institute of Technology in their F.A.A. Certified Airframe and Power Plant Maintenance training curriculum. Graduated in early 1970 and landed an A&P Certificated Mechanics job at a place known then as 'Los Angeles Airways' , a commuter Helicopter and STOL passenger airline who mostly shuttled people from outlying airports to LAX, and vice versa Sikorsky Helios had lawsuits against the Company, and the Company had lawsuits against the Manufacturer Sikorsky. Bankruptcy was reason for Job Loss.
I've had two children/ a boy and a girl, but due to circumstances beyond my understanding,, my wife divorced me, and I've been single since then ( 1979 ). I retired early in '2005, and am enjoying life with nature with my dog and 3 cats. I love just watching my trees grow, and walking the desert around my home .
LOCKHEED / MARTIN Was my employer of chance and choice for over 25 years. Became a Leader of Men, and helped up to 22 people in performing their manufacturing/mechanical jobs. Wow, what a good time I had within that organization. Very fulfilling and satisfying duties. Lots of good people, and a few miscreants whom were determined to do me harm. I survived, and am now happily enjoying the rest of my years in total bliss. Danny, thanks, and to those who were determined to do me harm, HA ! ----- No Harm Done. I was good, and you Envied all that I brought to the performance of our duties.
So far, I'm still alive, a little hi blood pressure and cholesterol, but I'm being medicated for those conditions, and thanks, Kaiser Permanente - Southern California - for all you are currently doing for me.
Now. Vote in a NEW replacement President of the USA, so we can attempt to get back on track to a great nation.
BUD ----09/15/12
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