Posted by Linda Peter Wetzel, Tony's wife on March 10, 2024:

Taps Memorial Article for William Taylor Wetzel ("Tony"), USMA Class of 1956 No. 20891 * Oct 17, 1933 - Jun 28, 2023 * Died in San Diego, CA Ashes interred in Quantico National Cemetery, VA William Taylor ("Tony") Wetzel , the son of 2nd Lt. Emery Wetzel (USMA 1929) and his wife Catharine, was born at March Field, Riverside, California. Tony's father was adjutant to the base commander, then-Lt. Col. Hap Arnold. The next few years took the family to Hamilton Field (San Francisco) where, within 24 hours of arriving, they received orders to Luke Field, Hawaii. The family's next moves were to Mitchell Field (Long Island, New York) and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to World War II the family lived in Maryland and Washington, D.C. As a boy Tony was a Washington Post carrier, like his brother Scott (USMA 1954) and a school safety patrolman one block from where then-Vice President Truman lived. After the war the family moved to Tokyo, where Tony attended the American School and was elected president of the 8th grade. He was a Cub Scout in the den where Mrs. Arthur MacArthur was den mother and her son was a Cub. While living in Tokyo, Tony climbed Mount Fuji and attended a day of the war crimes trial of Tojo. The family moved to Colorado Springs in the summer of 1948, where Tony worked at the Broadmoor Hotel. In 1949 the family moved back to March AFB, where Tony entered his third high school. He graduated from Riverside Polytechnic in 1951, then headed to Sullivan's Prep School in Washington, D.C. Securing an appointment to West Point, he entered with the Class of 1956. As a cadet Tony made Cow corporal and was a platoon leader his First Class year, also lettering in wrestling and scoring the first goal in intramural water polo his company had made in several years. Upon graduation Tony was commissioned in the Air Force. His first assignment was to primary pilot training at Marana AFB, Arizona. He completed training and won his wings at Goodfellow AFB, Texas, in 1957. B-47 co-pilot school was next, followed by survival school at Stead AFB, Nevada. His next assignment was to combat crew duty at Pinecastle AFB, Florida. Tony upgraded to B-47 aircraft commander in 1961 and got a crew at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. SAC sent him to B-52 school in 1965 and then PCS to Glasgow AFB, Montana. Said Tony: "And I don't even like to hunt or fish!" Three years in Big Sky country included two TDY Arc Light tours in Southeast Asia. One was at Andersen AFB, Guam. The other was in response to North Korea's seizure of the USS Pueblo, with orders to Okinawa to bomb North Korea if the ship was not released. That was preempted by the Tet Offensive in Vietnam and the TDY became another Arc Light tour. Upon return to Glasgow, Tony had orders to Beale AFB, California. After a year or so of crew duty Tony started staff work, enabling him to attend night school. He earned a Master's degree in Aerospace Operations Management from USC. He then got orders to Utapao, Thailand, in early 1971. There he was assigned to bomber operations in the B-52 wing, then was posted as executive officer to the wing commander. He completed a total of 127 combat missions while TDY to Guam, Okinawa, and PCS to Thailand. Next Tony got orders to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, working in the C-5 System Program Office. He spent six years with the C-5/Airlift SPO working in test/evaluation, systems management, and as Deputy SPO Director (SPD). He then became the Ground Launch Cruise Missile (GLCM) SPD in Arlington, Virginia. This was a program developed to counter the Soviet SS-20 missile. Tony's last active duty assignment was at Air Force Systems Command at Andrews AB, Maryland. He retired in 1982 after 26 years of service. During his career Tony flew the T-34, T-28, B-25, TB-47, B-47, EB-47, DB-47, RB-47, B-52B, B-52C, B-52D, B-52E, B-52F, B-52G, and T-39. After retiring from the Air Force, Tony became a stockbroker and Certified Financial Planner. He worked another 13 years, retired in 1995, and moved to Coronado, California. Tony met his one and only, Linda Peter, in 1979 and never looked back. They were married in 2017. They were partners and best friends for 44 years. Tony was a father figure and mentor to Linda's son Terry. Tony was an avid sports fan, rooting for the home team wherever he lived. He loved the Cincinnati Reds and attended many of their games; he cheered for the Washington Redskins and the HOGS; and when he retired to Coronado, he became a fan of the San Diego Padres and the Chargers. Tony loved NASCAR, the PGA and LPGA, NCAA athletics, the Olympics, and of course ARMY football -- Go Army! Beat Navy! Tony remained physically fit for most of his life. He took up running in the 1970s. Memorable runs included along the Nile while TDY to Sudan and along the Thames while at a financial meeting in London, along with other runs in the Bahamas, Mexico, Maui, and Montreal. Together Tony and Linda ran the Marine Corps marathon, where Tony finished in under four hours. He also enjoyed swimming, racquetball and golf, and gaming and gambling, especially poker. He played in the World Series of Poker more than 21 times. Tony was a logical and strategic thinker and loved solving puzzles, playing chess, backgammon, and even bridge, and doing the daily crossword puzzle. Tony was proud but never boastful of his military service. He loved God and country. Most of all he loved his family. Before meeting Linda, Tony had married and divorced twice. He is survived by 4 children: Susan Ward (Chad), Sally Seibert (Kevin), William Taylor Wetzel, Jr. "Bill" (Barbara), and David Wetzel (Stephanie); 14 grandchildren (one grandson predeceased Tony); and 31+ great-grandchildren. Tony was always positive and had a great sense of humor. Heaven got a good one when he left this earth. Well done, Tony. Be thou at peace. West Point Classmates and Family

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