William (Bill) Emil Ostendorf

William (Bill) Emil Ostendorf, age 77 of Citrus Heights, CA. (formerly of Grey Eagle), passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday Jan.11, 2018 after a 15 year battle with COPD.
Bill was born February 25, 1940 in Grey Eagle to Bernard and Mathilda (Woeste) Ostendorf. He attended school in Grey Eagle and graduated with the class of 1958. In late 1958 Bill joined the United States Air Force. He retired as Chief Master Sargent in July 1985 after 26 ½ years from McClellan AFB. Bill was stationed at many air bases across the United States and Australia. He was a Flight Engineer, Chief Engineer and a Senior Enlisted Advisor. Bill received many awards for his flights during the entire Vietnam War. He was honored to be a part of bringing POW’s home to America.
Bill’s early years were spent on the family farm and his brother Willie’s farm east of Grey Eagle. Bill married Veeta Lyons in 1966 while stationed in Savannah, GA. They lived in many states during his military career and chose California as home. After his retirement from the USAF, Bill worked as a greens keeper at a golf course for 10 years until COPD forced him to retire. Bill loved golfing, fishing and camping, but most of all he loved spending time with family and friends.
Bill has participated in COPD research trials for many years and has donated his organs for burn and cancer victims as well as further COPD research.
Survivors include wife Veeta, daughter Katrina, grand-daughter Yasmin all of Citrus Heights; brother Leander, Tempe AZ; sisters Viola Berscheid, Melrose MN, Joanne (Richard) Heffron and Lorraine Folta Grey Eagle, MN and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother’s Melvin, Wilfred, Gilbert, LeRoy, Edwin, Vernon, Cyril; sister’s Irene, Rita and Anna Mae.
A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle in the summer 2018.