William Hospers

Type Obit Here NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- William D. "Doc" Hospers, 79, orthopedic surgeon and retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel, MC, FS, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at his home.        Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday at Vintage Flying Museum, 505 NW 38th St., Hangar 33S. Interment: 9 a.m. Monday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas.        Memorials: Vintage Flying Museum, 505 NW 38th St., Fort Worth, Texas 76106.        William "Doc" deGelder Hospers was born Aug. 10, 1930, in Hinsdale, Ill., to Anthony and Lasca Hospers. Col. Hospers proudly served in the U.S. Army for 43 years and concluded his career as a flight surgeon. He married Charlyn Nelson on June 1, 1959. Their early years of marriage were spent in Wisconsin, Michigan and Killeen, with the last 31 years in North Richland Hills.        Dr. Hospers received a medical degree in 1959 from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and practiced for over 50 years. He was past president of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association. Doc founded the Vintage Flying Museum to share his passion for aviation history with the community and sponsored the Big Band Hangar Dance for 19 years. His passion was flying, especially, the World War II B-17 Flying Fortress, "Chuckie," fondly named for his wife of 50 years.        He received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for his contribution to aviation. Doc was selected to be pilot in command of the B-17 aircraft "Shoo Shoo Baby," for test flights and its final flight from Dover Air Force Base to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.        He enjoyed spending time with his family and had a great appreciation for his extended family of museum volunteers. Doc's wealth of knowledge of aircraft restoration and history, as well as his extraordinary humor and wit, will be missed by many.        Survivors: Wife, Charlyn "Chuckie" Hospers; son, Robert Hospers and wife, Joyce, of Canyon Lake; daughters, April Faram and husband, Dave, of Keller and Dr. Teri Hospers and husband, Lee Cusenbary, of San Antonio; grandchildren, Patrick, Will and Kelsey Faram, Chad, Erin and Rex Cusenbary, Valerie and Ava Hospers; brother, Richard Hospers of Elmhurst, Ill.; sister, Dr. Lasca Hospers of Lisle, Ill.; and numerous cousins. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Hospers please visit our Sympathy Store.