George William Young

George William "Bill" Young, age 95, of Corbin, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at the Kentucky Veteran's Center in Hazard, KY.
He was born in Middleburg, KY to the late Frank Lucian Young and Betty King Young. The youngest of six children; Elanor McWhorter, Ray Young, Mary Douglas, Anna Tucker, and Virginia Wesley who all preceded him in death.
As a young boy, he worked as a water boy for the Kentucky Electric Development Co. while they were building a dam and powerhouse just across the road from his family's home. He graduated from Middleburg High School in 1935 and afterwards went to work as a cashier at the local bank (Farmers Deposit Bank), where his father worked and his uncle Dick Young was executive director. Bill gained local notoriety when the bank was robbed and he chased the robbers through the county to Pulaski County where they abandoned their car and ran through the woods. He learned to fly out of Junction City Airport where they would often land in pastures and corn fields. He married Mildred Settles on February 10, 1940.
Ten days after Pearl Harbor, he joined the US Air Force and went into the Cadet program. He graduated in February 1943 in the Class 43B as Second Lieutenant. Upon receiving further training, he was sent to the South Pacific as a fighter/bomber pilot until he returned to the States in early 1944. During this time he received two air medals and numerous citations and awards. He served in Air Training Command as staff pilot until his release in 1947. He then returned to Middleburg as cashier at Farmers Deposit Bank. He graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Banking. He was active in the Christian Church and was Master of the Masonic Lodge #594; as well as, various other civic activities.
Bill was recalled to active duty in 1953 during the Korean War. He was assigned as pilot on heavy bombers. Stationed at Fairchild Base in the SAC program. He spent 16years at Fairchild Base, during which time he served as Squadron Operations Officer, director of safety, head of standardization division. After his tour at Fairchild, he was transferred to Castle Air Force Base as instructor and again assumed the duties of Squadron Operations Officer. Upon retirement in 1969, he returned to Medical Lake, Washington, and spent five years as general contractor.
Bill and his first wife, Mildred, were blessed with a daughter, Linda. They were married until Mildred's death.
He later married Agnes Wilham Hopper in 1980. They enjoyed several years together, traveling across the United States, making many friends along the way. Bill was blessed with an active and healthy life and he will be missed by many.
In addition to his parents and siblings, Bill was preceded in death by a step-son, E.R. Hopper, Jr.
Survivors include his Wife, Agnes Wilham Hopper Young, Daughter, Linda Wincesten and husband Tom; two Grandchildren, Kelly Walker and Cheryl Haynes; six great grandchildren; step-daughter, Billie Jean Poynter and husband Jerry; step-daughter in law, Phyllis Hopper; six step grandchildren, Jenny Storms and husband Bill, Brent Hopper and wife Gina, Amy Helton and husband Joey, Todd Hopper and wife Lori, Scott Poynter, and Aaron Hopper and wife Angela; and by 18 step great grandchildren.
Funeral service for George "Bill" Young will be held at 6:00pm on Saturday February 22, 2014 at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Sims officiating.
Visitation will also be held on Saturday from 4-6pm at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home.
Private interment will be held at the Lexington Cemetery with full military honors by the Honor Guard detail from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to First Baptist Church, Laurel Avenue in Corbin, KY 40701.