Willis “Bill” Charles Haycock 82, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on August 1, 2023.
Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 12, 1940, and moved frequently as the son of career Army officer, Colonel William Mann Haycock. Bill devoted his life to military service where he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Bill enlisted in the Army in January 1960 and served three years with the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantry soldier. Upon completion of his three-year tour of duty, he volunteered for training assignments with the U.S. Special Forces group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was then deployed to Vietnam in December 1965 and served with the 5th Special Forces Group, Project Delta B-52. While in Vietnam, LTC Haycock received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry.
After returning to the United States, LTC Haycock applied to flight school and was sent to helicopter training at Fort Wolters, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama. Upon receiving his aviator wings, he attended Cobra Attack Helicopter training and returned from Vietnam in January 1970 assigned as a Cobra Helicopter Section leader with Delta Company, 2/1 Cavalry Regiment.
After Vietnam, Bill was assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama and commanded the Cobra Attack Helicopter transition course.
LTC Haycock graduated from the Infantry Officers Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College.
During his military career, Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in psychology.
During the remainder of his career, LTC Haycock served in many Infantry Officers assignments. His final Army assignment was as the TRADOC Systems Manager for the HUMVEE vehicle Acquisition Program.
His military decorations included the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Senior Army Aviators Badge. He was awarded the Bronze Star with two “V” Devices for Valor, two Air Medals with “V” Device, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
After his retirement from the military, Bill pursued some of his many interests. He was an avid reader and interesting conversationalist. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and worked for Pancho Villa Motorcycle Tours leading tours in Mexico and South America.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; son, Carlton Haycock of Columbus, Georgia; stepson, Sean McManus of Columbus, Georgia; stepdaughter, Shelly Sartan; and two grandchildren, Colin and Kayleigh Sartan, of Thompson Station, Tennessee.
Bill’s final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
