MAJ G Billie Jack McGarvey, USAF (Ret.)
August 11, 1923 ~ February 24, 2019
BILLIE JACK McGARVEY and HAZEL VIRGINIA McGARVEY
On February 24, 2019, Billie Jack McGarvey, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of ninety-five. Billie was born on August 11, 1923 in Ft. Worth, Texas. He attended Texas Technological College and the University of Colorado where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering. In 1943, he was called to active duty in the Army Air Corps and served with distinction as a B-24 combat pilot in the Western Pacific. He then served in the US Air Force as an engineering test pilot before his subsequent career as a civil engineer. After serving in a series of civil engineering assignments of increasing responsibility in Scotland, England, Japan, Hawaii and the continental U.S., he was appointed Air Force Director of Civil Engineering in 1974. His Air Force service culminated in his promotion to Major General and appointment as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Resources. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and was appointed Director of Facilities for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He retired from NASA in 1989 as the Assistant Associate Administrator for Facilities Management. His Air Force awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, three Legion of Merit medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals and two Commendation Medals. His NASA awards include two Exceptional Service Medals, the Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Astronauts’ Silver Snoopy Award and a Presidential Rank award. On February 22, 1946, Billie married Virginia Stephens of Bakersfield, California. They traveled the world together as Billie pursued his devotion to the US Air Force and his love of flight. Billie is preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Linnie E. (Bralley) McGarvey.
On May 29, 2019, Hazel Virginia (Stephens) McGarvey, devoted wife and beloved mother, passed away at the age of ninety-four. Ginny was born on June 11, 1924 in Maysville, Oklahoma. She met Billie Jack McGarvey while working at Mintner Air Field, California and they married on February 22, 1946. Ginny was the quintessential Air Force wife. Her career was supporting Billie’s career by managing the many obligations that came with every increase in his rank, in addition to running their home and raising their four children. She adapted to all the challenges that each of Billie’s new assignments brought. Whether it was Prestwick, Scotland; Abeline, Texas or Tokyo, she appreciated the best that each locale offered and encouraged her children to do the same. Ginny’s strength, perseverance and wisdom were always tempered with loving kindness. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Rosa Belle Stephens; her brothers Carl, Kit, Jack and Grady; and her sisters Beatrice, Willie, Letha and Bobbie.
They are survived by their children, Pamela McGarvey, William J. McGarvey, Patrick J. McGarvey, and Susan McGarvey; and two granddaughters, Christina M. McGarvey and Kelly J. McGarvey. Ginny is survived by her sister, Neva I. Stephens. Billie and Ginny will be interred together in a graveside service at 3 pm on August 8, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
On February 24, 2019, Billie Jack McGarvey, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of ninety-five. Billie was born on August 11, 1923 in Ft. Worth, Texas. He attended Texas Technological College and the University of Colorado where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering. In 1943, he was called to active duty in the Army Air Corps and served with distinction as a B-24 combat pilot in the Western Pacific. He then served in the US Air Force as an engineering test pilot before his subsequent career as a civil engineer. After serving in a series of civil engineering assignments of increasing responsibility in Scotland, England, Japan, Hawaii and the continental U.S., he was appointed Air Force Director of Civil Engineering in 1974. His Air Force service culminated in his promotion to Major General and appointment as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Resources. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and was appointed Director of Facilities for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He retired from NASA in 1989 as the Assistant Associate Administrator for Facilities Management. His Air Force awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, three Legion of Merit medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals and two Commendation Medals. His NASA awards include two Exceptional Service Medals, the Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Astronauts’ Silver Snoopy Award and a Presidential Rank award. On February 22, 1946, Billie married Virginia Stephens of Bakersfield, California. They traveled the world together as Billie pursued his devotion to the US Air Force and his love of flight. Billie is preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Linnie E. (Bralley) McGarvey.
On May 29, 2019, Hazel Virginia (Stephens) McGarvey, devoted wife and beloved mother, passed away at the age of ninety-four. Ginny was born on June 11, 1924 in Maysville, Oklahoma. She met Billie Jack McGarvey while working at Mintner Air Field, California and they married on February 22, 1946. Ginny was the quintessential Air Force wife. Her career was supporting Billie’s career by managing the many obligations that came with every increase in his rank, in addition to running their home and raising their four children. She adapted to all the challenges that each of Billie’s new assignments brought. Whether it was Prestwick, Scotland; Abeline, Texas or Tokyo, she appreciated the best that each locale offered and encouraged her children to do the same. Ginny’s strength, perseverance and wisdom were always tempered with loving kindness. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Rosa Belle Stephens; her brothers Carl, Kit, Jack and Grady; and her sisters Beatrice, Willie, Letha and Bobbie.
They are survived by their children, Pamela McGarvey, William J. McGarvey, Patrick J. McGarvey, and Susan McGarvey; and two granddaughters, Christina M. McGarvey and Kelly J. McGarvey. Ginny is survived by her sister, Neva I. Stephens. Billie and Ginny will be interred together in a graveside service at 3 pm on August 8, 2019, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
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