William Horney Jr, "Bill", as he was called by family and friends, grew up in small towns in New Jersey. He graduated from high school in Vineland and then attended college at Rutgers University for a year. He needed to work for a living for a while, so he was employed in the office of a glass company in Vineland. Soon thereafter, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese and World War II was a reality for Americans. Bill decided to enlist in the Army Air Corps and was trained as a navigator for a bomber crew. His crew was sent to England to fly B-24 bombers in the 8th Air Force and was assigned to the 466th Bomb Group / 786th Bomb Squadron in Attlebridge, arriving there in May 1944. They flew 33 missions over Germany and occupied Europe, completing their tour near the end of October 1944. Shortly after returning to the States, Bill married his fiancée, Jane Trimnell. He then was assigned to air bases in the western states to train in B-29 bombers to fly combat missions in the Pacific. The war ended before he was assigned to duty and he decided to remain in the Air Corps, flying missions on the Berlin Airlift and serving in the Korean War. After 10 years of flying, the rank of Captain and some very difficult assignments, he found he was ready to leave the military and return to civilian life. Fortunately, he was able to get a job with the same company he had worked for before the war began. He was welcomed back by familiar employees, and after several transfers was sent to the headquarters of Owens-Illinois Glass Company in Toledo, Ohio. After 20 years in various positions in the company, he became Vice President, Director of Personnel. During this time he was attending college night classes for seven years, until he completed the courses for his bachelor's degree in business, graduating from the University of Toledo. Bill took early retirement at 58 and he and Jane moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina to a warmer climate and to play golf, which he really enjoyed. After 9 years there they decided to come to Pensacola to live at Azalea Trace. Bill passed away in August 2013 a couple of weeks short of his 92nd Birthday.

Here is his account of the 12 July 1944 mission to Munich, Germany :

"My mission #10, Munich, 12 July 44, lost 1 engine to flak, 2nd engine damaged. Pilot asked to keep directions to Switzerland as alternate. Will try to make base, lost altitude and space as formation continued. Now alone. Set course for base, steared pilot around flak areas, finally asked for fighter escort. Surprising, a P-38 appeared and tucked under right wing. He was also missing 1 engine/ Who is protecting Who? Made coast, P-38 peeled off, we struggled into base. 6 months later, having finished 32 missions, I married Jane Elizabeth Trimmell, Birthday 7/12/25, We are still married 63 years later. I always think of July 12th!"