Complied June 12, 2025 - Person Sheet
Complied June 12, 2025 - Person Sheet
NameWilliam George Catts 
Birth30 Oct 1923, Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Death14 Apr 2007, Richland, Benton, Washington Age: 83
BurialDesert Lawn Memorial Park, Kenniwick, Benton, Washington
OccupationCol. U.S.A.F.
Spouses
Birth1 Oct 1923, Arkansas
ResidenceJan 1993, Richland, Benton, Washington Age: 69
Residence2009, Kenniwick, Benton, Washington Age: 85
Death24 Feb 2019, Kenniwick, Benton, Washington Age: 95
BurialDesert Lawn Memorial Park, Kenniwick, Benton, Washington
FatherLonnie Charles McGuffin #2 (1879-)
MotherSallie Harriet Wrenn (1886-1970)
Marriage1943
ChildrenWilliam Joseph Kevin “Kevin” (1954-1992)
Notes for William George Catts
William George Catts, Col. U.S.A.F. retired, died April 14, 2007. He was born in 1923 to Dorothy and Perry Catts Sr. He brought his family to the Tri-Cities in 1966.
Bill took his primary cadet training in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and received his wings in Victoria, Texas. He became one of the youngest and first Air Force commanders to fly the new B-29 in the Pacific theater in WWII. Though he flew many different planes the B-29 was the one he continued to love all his life. He flew 36 missions in Japan and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and many oakleaf clusters including the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Bill Catts was an Aircraft commander and one of the very first secret artic explorers. He did much to contribute to the history of one of the most incredible units formed by the U.S. Air Force in peace or war? it's work shrouded in a cloak of secrecy and mystery for over 40 years. It would take a small book to report all of Bill's many military accomplishments.
After'the war Bill took time to receive his degree from the University of Oklahoma school of Law. Afterwards he returned to the Air Force as a Judge Advocate in the Pentagon. He returned to work as Vice President and General Council at United Nuclear in Richland, WA. Col. William Catts- one of the greatest of the greatest generation.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his step father, Joe Davis and his beloved son Kevin.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Julie; his daughter, Kathy Wayne Anderson of Bothell, WA.; two grandsons, Erik Anderson of Kenmore, WA and Casey Catts of Haley, ID; granddaughter, Jennifer Kevin Whelan of Kirkland, WA; step-granddaughter, Erika Efram Ball of Boise, ID; three great granddaughters, Makena and Sara Whelan of Kirkland, WA and Taylor Nichlos of Boise, ID; a brother, Perry Frankie Catts Jr.; nephew, Perry Catts III in Tulsa, OK.
There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at Desert Lawn Memorial Park on 10th & Union in Kennewick. There will be an open house at the family home after the service.
Bill took his primary cadet training in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and received his wings in Victoria, Texas. He became one of the youngest and first Air Force commanders to fly the new B-29 in the Pacific theater in WWII. Though he flew many different planes the B-29 was the one he continued to love all his life. He flew 36 missions in Japan and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and many oakleaf clusters including the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Bill Catts was an Aircraft commander and one of the very first secret artic explorers. He did much to contribute to the history of one of the most incredible units formed by the U.S. Air Force in peace or war? it's work shrouded in a cloak of secrecy and mystery for over 40 years. It would take a small book to report all of Bill's many military accomplishments.
After'the war Bill took time to receive his degree from the University of Oklahoma school of Law. Afterwards he returned to the Air Force as a Judge Advocate in the Pentagon. He returned to work as Vice President and General Council at United Nuclear in Richland, WA. Col. William Catts- one of the greatest of the greatest generation.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his step father, Joe Davis and his beloved son Kevin.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Julie; his daughter, Kathy Wayne Anderson of Bothell, WA.; two grandsons, Erik Anderson of Kenmore, WA and Casey Catts of Haley, ID; granddaughter, Jennifer Kevin Whelan of Kirkland, WA; step-granddaughter, Erika Efram Ball of Boise, ID; three great granddaughters, Makena and Sara Whelan of Kirkland, WA and Taylor Nichlos of Boise, ID; a brother, Perry Frankie Catts Jr.; nephew, Perry Catts III in Tulsa, OK.
There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at Desert Lawn Memorial Park on 10th & Union in Kennewick. There will be an open house at the family home after the service.