Billy K. Flanagan and Gloria Acker Flanagan

A Tribute to the Life of Billy K. Flanagan & Gloria Acker (dear friends of Dale & Nancy Carver):

Billy K. Flanagan was born in Van Wert, Ohio, on February 4, 1927. He entered the Army in May 1945 as a military policeman. After 22 years as an enlisted man Bill accepted an appointment as a Warrant Officer Automotive Technician. Bill served a total of 44 years on active duty. He was inducted into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame in 1988, and retired in 1989. During his career he served in Italy, Korea, Vietnam and four times in Germany. When he retired, Bill was the last Army veteran from World War II to retire from active duty status.

Gloria Acker was born in Binghamton, New York, on September 4, 1926. She was a member of the Women’s Army Corps and served in the Signal Corps as a cryptographer in the occupation forces in Germany. Gloria was honorably discharged in 1950. She later volunteered for more than 20 years with the American Red Cross.

Bill and Gloria met in Heidelberg, Germany, and were married there in 1951. They had two children: a son, Bernie, a career member of the Navy, and a daughter Shelly, currently in Ohio. Bernie died earlier this year of cancer. Bill and Gloria were also the God parents of Robin Blanton, who is here today, along with her family and her parents, Nancy and Dale Carver, to honor the Flanagans’ legacy.

Gloria died December 19, 2016 from complications arising from Alzheimer’s disease. Bill died on November 11, 2018, Veterans’ Day, after having spent the previous day celebrating with his many friends at festivities honoring him and the rest of our heroes. A fitting end to a life of military service.