William Austin

HURST -- William "Buck" Arthur Austin, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2011. Graveside service: 1:15 p.m. Thursday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. Buck was born the sixth of eight children on Jan. 1, 1922. At the age of 17, he met his wife-to-be in H.S. Kress in downtown Fort Worth, then married her in 1946. He has just recently reunited with all the 10 other members of his aerial photographer unit from his bomber group during World War II. He was a B-17 gunner and photographer in New Guinea during World War II in the 3rd and 5th Air Force, especially the Ken's Men, then remained in the reserves as a master sergeant for many years. He served his country with dutiful honor, his family with loving steadfastness, and his friends with infinite patience and compassion. To that, we can only say, "Well done, Buck. Well done." Survivors: He is survived by his wife, Ruth Austin; his children, Michael Brown, a retired USMC major, Nelsie Mullins and Susie Diano. Additional survivors include his sister, Betty Raney; grandchildren, Jeff Gallaway, Lori Lisi, Jennifer Wood, Brandon Diano, Molly Brown and Julie Brown; and great-grandchildren, Preslee Gallaway, Colt Gallaway, Bradi Gallaway, Zachery Staton and Rachel Lisi. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Austin please visit our Sympathy Store.