William George Sherman (“Bill” or “Tank”), 76, of Pinehurst NC passed away Tuesday, March 5th peacefully at his home.
He was born and raised in Westerville, Ohio and attended Ohio University on a basketball scholarship, where he majored in business. Following graduation, he proudly served in the United States Navy from 1965-1971. Bill completed Basic Naval Aviation Officers School at Pensacola, Florida and was stationed in Miramar, California flying in the F-4 Phantom as a radar intercept officer (RIO). He completed two tours flying off aircraft carriers in Vietnam waters and received various medals for his service. Bill left the Navy and joined Grumman in California as a test aviator for the F-14 Tomcat program, and later marketed radar and weapon systems with Hughes Aircraft Company in California and Long Island, New York. He continued his career in aerospace marketing for Raytheon Company and managed their San Diego office, where he was also President of the United Service Organization, Inc. (USO). He and his loving wife, Ellen Sherman, then retired to play more golf and spend time with grandchildren, settling in Pinehurst in 2003. Bill especially enjoyed his family, his church, his “golfing buddies”, birdwatching in his backyard, and the Pinewild/Pinehurst community.
Bill is survived by his wife Ellen, his children (the “Tankettes”) Barbara (Josh) Meeks of Davidson, NC, Tami (Steve) Cramer of Catonsville, MD, and Laura (Ben) Burke of Seattle, WA; his brothers Don and John Sherman of Westerville, Ohio; and seven grandchildren Allison, Brandon, Connor, Ryan, Lucy, Henry, and Austin.
A funeral service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 3:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 350 E. Massachusetts, Southern Pines, NC 28387, followed by a brief reception at the church. At a future date, there will be a Celebration of Life luncheon at Pinewild Country Club in Pinehurst for friends and fellow golfers.
In lieu of flowers, in honor of Bill’s service to his country and as former President of the San Diego USO, donations in Bill’s name may be made to the USO or the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
Online condolences or pictures may be left at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
