Lieutenant Colonel William G. Fohrman

Lieutenant Colonel William G. Fohrman of New Lebanon, Ohio went to be with the Lord on September 23, 2022. Bill was born in mid Minnesota and raised on a 200 acre farm. He had a wonderful childhood filled with great love from his parents and other family members. He lived in relative paucity on this farm, horse drawn farm equipment and no electricity; he grew up without electricity. When he came home from the Naval Academy at age 18, they finally had converted to electricity. This would be in the early 1950’s!

He did not care for farming, loved cars and airplanes, but knew due to their lack of funds, his future was so unsure; however, when he was seventeen, he had an odd opportunity to attend Annapolis Naval Academy. It was an extremely difficult time for him while attending the academy. The 11th Company he was in at the academy underwent bullying and hazing, causing many young men to quit the academy. Bill vallied his way through the four years, but he did not enjoy the sea nor being in boats. He had always pictured himself a pilot. After the academy, he signed up with the U.S. Air Force and immediately was sent to pilot training.

The type of work and positions he held during his time in the Air Force followed him into retirement. He continued his education by acquiring a masters degree in Public Administration. His major occupation focus during his active duty was in Configuration Management. He was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB. There he became a Director of Configuration and Data Management for the Aeronautical Equipment System Program Office. He was originally assigned as director of the 460 person Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD) Mission Support Directorate. He formed the Deputy for Support consisting of Acquisition Logistics, Test and Evaluation, and Configuration/Data Management Directorates after serving as Director of Configuration and Data Management for all of Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD). During his Air Force career, he published an article on Configuration Management in the Defense Management Review and he was a contributing writer to the Configuration Management Tutorial Text.

He served as Air Force Command Pilot and flew 35 combat missions to Viet Nam. He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel after 20 years of service.

After retirement, he held a position with Systran Corporaton of Dayton as a Principal Investigator for the Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratory. He developed a unique system development methodology, provided hardware and software configuration management expertise, and developed new technical documentation standards. He continued into retirement his work experience with the Air Force. He retired in 1997.

There is a veritable, interesting bottom line to Bill’s Annapolis post graduate life. He was embittered about his academy experience, but in the early 90’s an academy classmate and Bill began internet messaging. This encouraged Bill to attend 1958 Class Reunions which he enjoyed tremendously, especially by once again meeting many of his classmates. Bill was continually giving lifelong credits to those classmates that offered tutorial help for him. He never, never forgot these classmates. Attending the reunions continued until he was unable to do it. It resolved so much for him, he even wore his Naval Academy ring until died.

Getting into personhood, Bill was a man of a multitude of talents: Skilled at playing the trumpet, expert auto mechanic, award winning of restoration of antique auto, inventor, innovator, gunsmith, gun collector, published writer, supportive, loving father and grandfather, husband of Fifty-five years!

Preceded by his parents, Stanley E. & Martha Mae (Freeman) Fohrman; son-in-law, Albert “Butch” Stanifer.

Survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon F. Fohrman; daughters, Shelia Stanifer & Erica Wick; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Family & Friends Gathering will be held at 12:00 P.M., Friday, October 28, 2022 at Concord Church, 2225 Concord Fairhaven Road, Eaton, Ohio with Jerry Price officiating. Inurnment will be held at 3:00 P.M., Friday, October 28, 2022 at Mound Hill Cemetery on Camden Road across from Ft. St. Clair in Eaton, Ohio with Military Honors provided by the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard. Arrangements entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home, 220 E. Main St., Eaton, Ohio. Condolences via www.barnesfuneralhome.com