Col. William E. "Frosty" Coward

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Col. William Everett "Frosty" Coward, USAF (Ret.), age 80, beloved husband of Peggy Love Coward died on Feb. 5, 2012, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center after a year-and-a-half-long battle with prostate cancer.

He was born in Erwin, Tenn., on Nov. 21, 1931, a son of the late John Edsell and Lydia Rowe Coward. He attended Emory & Henry College in Virginia, earned his Masters Degree from Auburn University, and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a commissioned officer for 32 years. He spent the majority of his career doing what he loved the most, flying, and flew the T-38, B-52, B-47, F-100 and F-4.

Col. Coward and his wife Peggy have resided in Sumter, S.C., since 1977, where he ended his career as the 9th Air Force Headquarters Inspector General at Shaw Air Force Base. Among his many decorations are the Legion of Merit for distinguished valor, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with distinguished valor and the Vietnam Service Medal with distinguished valor.

After retiring, his new passion became the South Carolina Gamecocks. He enthusiastically supported his team and attended every Gamecock football game, home and away for 25 years. Go Cocks!

Surviving in addition to his wife are: Three daughters, Cristie Blake of Raleigh, N.C., Lisa Coward Sandoval of Albuquerque, N.M., and Melinda C. Fairchild and her husband David of McLean, Va.; and three grandchildren, Brock Sandoval, Danielle Fairchild and Halie Fairchild.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 2012 at 2:00pm at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Webb Belangia officiating. Inurnment with full military honors will be held at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Order of Daedalians and long-time friend, Joe Krumpotich.

The family will receive friends on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Order of Daedalians, PO Box 249, Randolph AFB, TX 78148-0249 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

You may sign the family's guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.