STERLING – William E. Newell, 83, of Sterling, passed away Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. 

He was born July 23, 1929, in Sterling, the eldest son of Lester and Ethel (Bowman) Newell. He attended St. Mary Catholic Community High School. He was accepted into St. Ambrose College on a full football scholarship, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology upon graduation in 1951. He also obtained his Master of Science degree in management from the University of Colorado in 1966. He married his high school sweetheart, Rose Mary Droste, on Dec. 29, 1952.

Bill entered the Air Force in 1952, and was a 25-year Air Force fighter pilot. He was a decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired as a colonel in 1967, where he had more than 90 combat missions over North Vietnam.