Col. Manson William "Bill" McHargue, Jr., U. S. Air Force (Ret), 86, Garden City, MO, died Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, KS. Visitation will be held from 11:00-12:00 Monday, December 21 at the Atkinson Chapel in Archie, MO. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the charity of your choice.

Bill was born January 31, 1923 in Archie, MO, the son of Manson W. and Audra E. (Cramer) McHargue. When he was a month old, his family moved to a farm east of Archie, which he thought of as his home for the remainder of his life.

Bill graduated from Archie High School in 1941. Upon completion of one year of college at Central Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg, MO, Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program. He received his pilot wings and commission in 1944. During the following years he served in various flying organizations and theaters of operations. Bill flew many types and models of aircraft, both conventional and jet powered. Upon his promotion to more senior levels to Colonel in 1965, he served at various organizational levels, including Congressional Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force as a Staff Officer. His record indicates he accomplished all duties with tenacity and professional competence. In 1974, after 31 years of continuous active duty, Col. McHargue retired at Albrook AFB in Panama Canal Zone with full military honors. At that time he was serving as Vice Commander, U. S. Air Force Southern Command, a major Air Command.

Bill was a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College. Also while serving in the Air Force, he graduated from the University of Maryland and George Washington University where he received a Masters Degree in International Affairs.

During his lifetime, Bill received the support and loving care of two exceptional wives. His first wife, Etta Marie Coleman, the mother of his two sons, passed away in 1970. Some nine years later, he married N. Marie Beckham. Together, they returned to the McHargue family farm where they spent the rest of his life. Once again he became a hobby bee-keeper, an activity he had enjoyed in his youth. Together they cared for cattle, orchard and gardening with occasional travel both local and abroad.

In addition to his wife, Marie, Bill is survived by two sons, whose accomplishments he was very proud of, Col. William R. McHargue, USAF (Ret), wife Jan and granddaughters, Caitlin and Kelly from Mt. Airy, Maryland and Timothy R. McHargue, PHD, wife Joni and stepson, David from Danville, California. He has one grandson, Msgt. William R. McHargue, Jr. USAF (Ret), wife Iris, great-granddaughter, Kylie and great-grandson, Liam from Royse City, Texas. Bill is also survived by two stepdaughters which he was very fond of, Rebecca M. Beckham from Nashville, Tennessee and Beverly K. Autry and husband, Bryan from Edinburgh, Indiana. He has three step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.