William "Bill" Andrew Albritton was born on October 14, 1926 in Bogue
Chitto, Mississippi. His family moved to Evergreen and in October, 1944
Bill registered for military service in Marksville. He was inducted into
the Army on January 28, 1945 and served most of his first tour of duty in
Yokohama, Japan. He received an honorable discharge on March 27, 1946, then re-enlisted in the Air Force on October 17, 1946.

On November 2, 1947 he and Ruth Ellen Dugas Albritton were married and lived
a military life style for the next 20 years. Thus, the geographical births
followed: Jeannie was born in Bunkie on Dec. 14, 1948, Kathy was born in Prestick, Scotland in 1953, Billy was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1956, and Carolyn was born in Bunkie in 1960.

Most of Bill's service was spent in the supply area. However, while sErving in Alaska in the communications area in the early 1950s, he suffered knee damage and spent several months at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Tx recovering from surgery.

On November 21, 1956 England AFB became Bill's home base. However, that was in name only, as he served tours all over the world, including Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Turkey, Libya and Scotland. During World War II and the Korean conflict, he served in transportation zones supplying the needs of those in the combat zones.

On March 1, 1967 Master Sgt. Bill Albritton received an honorable discharge from the Air Force and retired from military service...a period which spanned over 22 years. During that time Bill received numerous medals and citations, but the ones for which he is most proud are the good conduct medals - since each were award every three years for exemplary conduct.

He began a second career and worked with the following companies: Cleco, Juselin Electric, Precision Escavators, Stanley Brown Architects and Sam Hamilton Architect. In June of 1975, he became fully retired and pursued his passion for fishing. His experiences in the fishing area have earned him widespread respect and admiration from all who have seen the results on his never-ending casts for the next strike.

In 1963 Bill was initiated as a member of the Bayou Chico Lodge # 430 F.& A. M. and in 1964 was raised to a Master Mason. On Oct. 25, 2000 the lodge presented him with the Master's Award for service above the realm of duty.

Ruth and Bill were long-time residents of Bunkie, but on August 24, 1984 they returned to Evergreen and moved into their new home on the Burns Road. Ruth's Memories Letter contains more information on their life's journey.

Submitted by Ruth and Bill Albritton, October 16, 2008.