Wilhard Debald Obituary

Wilhard George Debald, aged 86, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2023 in Pawling, NY, ending a well-lived life full of service and hard work. Born in Germany in 1937, Wilhard (Bill) immigrated to the U. S. as a teen, having lived through a world war and difficult upbringing. He made his way to the Bronx in 1952 to join family. With determination and some help from Samuel Gompers High School, he learned English well enough for the US Navy to say, "welcome aboard. " Thus in 1954, he embarked on a 20-year career in the military, which was a defining part of his life. Bill served in the Navy as an aviation specialist for four years. Assigned to a helicopter squadron in Memphis, TN, he served on the USS Hancock, and while working as a crewman, had the good fortune of surviving a crash landing on the carrier flight deck. Post-Navy, he returned to the Bronx, and quickly decided to aim high with the US Air Force. His 16 years in the Air Force carried him across the globe. Assigned to places like Brunswick NAS (where he met JFK); Goose Bay Labrador (where he froze); Pope AFB (where he married); RAF Lakenheath (where he started a family); and Westover AFB (where he retired), he did what he did best: fix planes. And there were many, though the venerable C-130 was his favorite. It got him to all sorts of places in the 1960s: the Philippines, the Congo, and South Vietnam in 1968. It was about then that Bill met his future wife, Delia Kidd, married, and had one son, Mark. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill and family moved to Connecticut, where he worked as a machinist for Hamilton-Standard. In the late 1970s, they made their way to Dutchess County, where he worked for Tau Laboratories through the 1980s and eventually Dupont Semiconductor through the 1990s. Throughout his civilian career, he took pride in his work, his shop, and his people. He was known as a detail-oriented machinist, not afraid to take on special jobs and work weekends. He managed all of this as a single parent. It was this work ethic and sense of doing the right thing that was a hallmark of his, as was his easygoing nature and good humor. In retired life, Bill became an avid golfer, a sport he learned on his own and enjoyed tremendously (even on television). Ultimately residing in the Millbrook area, Bill enjoyed his final years in peace, content in knowing he lived a full life. Bill is survived by his son (Mark) and daughter-in-law (Joanna), former wife (Delia), niece (Wendy) and nephew (Craig), and sister-in-law (Susan). He was predeceased by his brothers (Alfred and Richard). Memorial donations may be made to the Union Vale Fire Department, PO Box 21, Verbank, NY 12585 or at https://www. uvfdny. org/. Calling hours will be held at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. , 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction on Friday, May 12, 2023 from 4-7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 10 am at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction followed by burial at St. Denis Cemetery. Please visit Wilhard's Book of Memories at www. mchoulfuneralhome. com.