William C. Bodner
May 24, 1922 ~ March 7, 2006
William C. Bodner, LTC, USAF (Retired) was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 24, 1922 and passed away on March 7, 2006 in San Antonio. He lived with his parents in Detroit, Michigan until graduating from high school and entering military service during WWII. After the war ended he was discharged from the Army Air Corps with the rank of sergeant. He attended optometry college in Chicago, Illinois and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force just before the outbreak of the Korean Conflict. For the next 24 years he remained on active duty with overseas assignments to Dreux AFB in France and Torrejon AFB in Spain. His favorite duty stations were Lackland AFB from 1960 to 1967 and Kelly AFB from 1969 to 1971. In 1983 he returned to San Antonio after retiring as a civilian optometrist in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 54 years, Stanislava T. Bodner, in 2004. He is survived by his sons, Bruce Bodner and wife Debbie, Gordon Bodner and wife Vicki, all of San Antonio, granddaughters Natalie Bodner of College Station, Texas and Chelsey Bodner and Lynette Bodner of San Antonio. After a private family service, interment with military honors will take place at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Cemetery in Heletes, Texas.
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I am saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Bodner. I met him when I arrived at Wilford Hall Medical Center in 1963 as a Thyroid Cancer Patient. After my initial treatment, I was transferred to the Medical Unit and worked near him for some sixteen months. At that time, most cancer patients thought the diagnosis to be a death sentence, but Dr. Bodner taught me that there is life after cancer. When we met, he was almost five years beyond his surgery for colon cancer. I never saw him again after leaving Lackland in 1964, but I did periodically think of him and of how he handled his bout with cancer. He was a kind, gentle and unassuming man, and the way he handled his illness was most helpful to me, especially when I received the same diagnosis in 1985. Lowell C. Mullins SMSGT., USAF(Ret)
Bruce, Debbie & Lynette, Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Mark, Louise & Megan
I was sorry to hear that your father passed away.I want you to know that I sincerely enjoyed taking care of your father. Mr.Bodner had an award winning smile and the greatest,sincerest handshake. As a CNA I meet alot of people and there are those whom always remain special. Again I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr.Bodner. Your family is in my prayers. Sincerely, Barbara Torres