Chief Master Sgt. Walter J. McNeil, U.S. Air Force retired, 80, passed away at his residence in Panama City, Fla., on Sunday, June 10, 2007. Chief McNeil was born in Butler Springs, Ala., on July 31,1926. He attended school in Montgomery, Ala. Walter retired from the Air Force in 1977 as a chief master sergeant after 31 years of military service. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal and numerous other awards and medals. Chief McNeil was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He retired a second time in 1993 after 15 years with civil service as fire chief at the Naval Coastal Systems Station in Panama City. He also served as fire chief at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota from February 1978 to September 1979, transferring to NCSC-Panama City. Chief McNeil was a member of Rising Virtue Masonic Lodge of Bangor, Maine, a member of the Scottish Rite and a member of Shaddai Shrine Temple of Panama City. He was Baptist by faith and attended First Baptist Church of Panama City. Chief McNeil is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Hilda, of Panama City; three sons, Mr. Ronald G. McNeil (Debra) of Marietta, Ga., Chief Master Sgt. (retired) Robert G. McNeil (Bobbi) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Master Sgt. (retired) Rick S. McNeil (Debra) of Las Vegas; eight grandchildren, Erin McNeil, Eric McNeil, Clayton McNeil, Jaclyn McNeil, Sirena McNeil, Troy McNeil, Roweina McNeil and Larissa McNeil; two greatgrandchildren, Mitchell McNeil-Smith and Cole McNeil-Smith; and two stepgranddaughters, Seanna Lovell and Nicole Aikins. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Panama City, Fla., on Thursday, June 14, 2007, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Bruce Raley and Clyde Elison officiating. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery Chapel of Love Mausoleum with full military honors accorded by the Tyndall Air Force Base Honor Guard. Masonic rites will follow. Honorary pallbearers are all active and retired Air Force fire protection personnel, and active and retired fire protection personnel of the U.S. Navy Base in Panama City, Fla. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 13, 2007, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Chief McNeil's name to the American Cancer Society, 2012-A Lisenby Ave., Panama City, FL 32405, or to the First Baptist Church of Panama City Building Fund, 32 W. Sixth St., Panama City, FL 32401. Condolences can be viewed or submitted at www.kentforestlawn.com. Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Panama City, Fla. 32405 2403 Harrison Ave. 763-4694 _TMPLT:
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