USAFA Class Histories

William Larry Meyer was born March 31,1940 in Holland, Indiana to Amos and Grace Meyer. He died July 18, 2024 at Enchanted Pines in Crockett, Texas and was 84 years old. Raised in rural Indiana, Larry Meyer found a path to a decorated military and commercial pilot career all beginning with his basketball talent and playing the trombone in his high school band. During his senior year at Holland High School, playing forward for the Dutchman, he was scouted by the US Air Force Academy basketball coach and was offered the opportunity to play at the USAFA. Larry’s band director played an integral role in his future through his support and assistance with his acceptance to the Air Force Academy.

Larry graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1963 as a Second Lieutenant, then completed his pilot training and received his wings at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas. His training continued at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ, where learned to fly the F100 Super Sabre. While stationed at Luke, he had a blind date with Patty Webb. Not long after that first date, they were married on November 20, 1964. The lieutenant and his new wife moved to Homestead AFB in Miami, FL. Lt. Meyer completed a short tour of duty in Izmir, Turkey, then returned to Homestead to begin training the F100 night gunnery, which hadn’t yet been used by the Air Force. Lt. Meyer flew combat missions in the Vietnam War as an Air Force pilot for the F100 Super Sabre from 1965-1966. He flew missions as part of 308 TAC Fighter Squadron, 31st TAC Fighter Wing. The US Air Force recognized him for his honorable service with the Distinguished Flying Cross and also three Air Medals. He returned to Luke AFB to become an instructor in November 1966. It was at Luke that he was promoted to Captain in the USAF.

Larry and Patty welcomed their first daughter, Susan, in 1967. Captain Meyer was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1969 and began his career as a commercial airline pilot. He flew for Western Airlines, then National Airlines, based in Miami, FL. Their second daughter, Sally, was born in 1970. When the National Airlines pilot strike occurred, the young Meyer family moved to Crockett, Texas where Larry worked for Bill Dabney Engineering until the strike was over. The Meyers loved Crockett and Patty and Larry decided to raise their family there. During the 70’s and 80’s, you could find them both at band concerts, Bulldog football and basketball games, the Fiddlers Festival, 4-H and FFA events, and the Houston County Fair. Throughout his entire career as a pilot, Larry commuted from Crockett to Houston, while flying for National Airlines, Pan Am Airlines, and United Airlines. He retired as a Captain of the United Airlines 777 in 2001. Larry stayed busy working as a Land Man throughout Houston County and beyond and also worked for the US Census. His greatest moments, though, were being “Giggy” to his precious grandsons, Will and Grant. Patty and Larry enjoyed travel adventures with great friends in their retirement. You could count on seeing Larry on the tractor and lawn mower or working in his garden. He was an active member of the Crockett Lions Club, supporter of the Pineywoods Fine Arts Association, ringer in the Community Handbell Choir, and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Crockett.

Capt William L Meyer died, July 18, 2024.  Larry is survived by his two daughters Susan Butler Meyer Patterson and husband Merlin (Pat) of The Woodlands, TX, Sally Grant Meyer Brannen and husband John Michael of Crockett, TX; grandsons William Michael Brannen of El Indio, TX, and Grant Michael Brannen and wife Lee Ellen of Alto, TX; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Nancy and Danny Watson, Judi Blackwell and Bill Swink, nieces and nephews Phillip Meyer, Cyndi Michaels, Gloria and Doug Reed, Scott Gore, Angela Watson Grippe, Jennifer Blackwell, Holly Blackwell, Chris Meyer, Jill Meyer Reisinger, and Simon Blackwell.