William Anthony Belich Jr. was born December 3rd, 1946, in Brownwood, Texas, to Bill Sr. and Grace Belich, who lived at their family ranch in Mills County. Much of his childhood was spent in El Paso, where his father worked as a manager of Western Auto stores, and his mother taught music in school.
Bill always hoped to return to the ranch in Mills County. However, the Vietnam War emerged. He wanted to be a soldier like his father. After graduating from Texas Tech University, he commissioned into the Army as an armor officer. He also volunteered to be an Army aviator. During the Vietnam War, he became a decorated helicopter pilot, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star Medal, and 18 Air Medals. Achieving the rank of Colonel, he served a 30-year distinguished career, including positions as the Director of Joint Operations for IFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina and his final assignment as a faculty instructor at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Bill met his wife, Charlotte James, from Seagraves, Texas, while in college. They married on August 10th, 1968, and were married for 55 years. Having three sons, they raised their family across the United States and lived five years overseas.
A faithful Christian, Bill frequently did mission work in Mexico and the Philippines. In retirement, he returned to the ranch in Mills County for 18 years before Alzheimer’s took him from it. He was a humble worker, a servant to those he led, and a disciple of Christ who has earned a better place.
Bill is survived by his wife, Charlotte; his sons: William III, James, Benjamin, and their wives; eight grandchildren; and his brother, John. He is missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Ebony Cemetery in Mills County. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Heartland Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Missions program at the Austin Avenue Church of Christ, 1020 Austin Avenue, Brownwood, Texas, 76801
Condolences, memories, and tributes, can be offered to the Belich family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com
