William M. Landes Sr. died Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans. He was 69.

Born in Chicago on Sept. 21, 1939, he spent his childhood and young adult years in Los Angeles. 

William was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, class of 1965, where he was a member of the 15th squadron and a member of the Falcons baseball and football teams. As a split end for the Falcons, he played in several bowl games during his football career. He continued his love of Falcon football and helped scout and guide talent toward the Academy throughout his life.

In 1974, he moved to Vicksburg, where he continued his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Procurement Division (WES) and was a farmer. He retired in 1998 and then spent his time chasing golf balls, fish, deer and grandchildren.

His parents, Marvin Wilton Landes and Mary Elizabeth Landes, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Tina M. Landes of Diamondhead; son, William M. Landes Jr. of Collierville, Tenn.; daughter, Jacqueline Landes Purnell (Paul) of Madison; grandchildren, Will Landes, Avery Purnell and Landes Purnell; and brothers, Tom Landes of Lookout, Calif., and Hugh Landes of Maui, Hawaii.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 8, 2009, from 5 until 7 p.m. and Monday from 1 p.m. until the service at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg. Funeral services are scheduled on Monday, March 9, at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Geoffrey Joyner officiating at Glenwood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Richey Wood, Pat Evans, Thomas Scafer, Otho Amacker, Walter Newman and Gary Waltman Jr.

Please make memorial gifts to the American Heart Association or to the United States Air Force Academy.