Willliam Lawton Volz
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Retired TSgt William Lawton Volz, 97, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 8, 2021. He
was born on September 3, 1923, in Philadelphia to the late William F. Volz and Anna M.
Schucker.
Growing up during the Great Depression, William was the oldest of five sons, all sharing one
bedroom in his parents' home in downtown Philly. As a youngster, he often found creative
ways to make a little extra money for his family, like buying fresh pretzels for 1 cent and selling
them for 2 cents.
William began serving his country as a teenager when he signed up to work in Arizona for the
Civilian Conservation Corps. Most of what he earned was sent home to help his family. At 19,
he decided to enlist in the Army Air Corps and was soon on his way to the South Pacific to serve
his country in World War II. He often joked about all the islands he visited but never really got
to enjoy. Bill spent 21 years in the military at posts around the US, Canada, and Iceland,
including Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and Labrador, Canada, before retiring from the
Air Force in 1963.
He then started a new career with NASA at Cape Canaveral and took pride in being part of the
team that launched men and women into space. When NASA shut down, he worked at various
other jobs in Florida before retiring for good to Myrtle Beach. Bill had a wicked sense of humor
and enjoyed spending his days socializing with friends and neighbors. In late 2018 he moved to
Mooresville, NC, to live with family.
William is preceded in death by his first wife Madeline E. Rauch, his second wife Marilyn R.
Hough, his granddaughter Amy (Sylwester) Gajek of Semmes, AL, his step-granddaughter
Caroline Beason of Huntersville, NC, and his brothers George, Edward and Robert.
He is survived by his twin daughters JoAnn Fredella and Joan King of Semmes, AL; his
grandchildren Sr. Kelly Francis of Jackson, PA, Michael (Pamela) Fredella of Houston, Jill (David)
Spicer of Madison, FL, and Rebecca (Tim) Witt of Melbourne, FL.; five great-grandchildren
Kaylee, Matthew, Emily, Madison and Ryan; and his brother Ronald Volz of Philadelphia.
He is also survived by his step-daughter Sherry (Walter) Klepfer of Mooresville, NC and his stepgranddaughter Christina Cole of Annapolis, MD.
Part of America's "Greatest Generation", William lived a full life dedicated to serving his
country and to caring for his family. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with
full military honors. A private graveside service will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Levine & Dickson Hospice House - Huntersville NC
(www.hpccr.org/giving) or your local Humane Society.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, NC, is serving the family