February 1, 2023, 79, Goldsboro –

Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Andrew Allgaier III, USAF Retired also known by his call sign “Gator” passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 at his home in Goldsboro, North Carolina at the age of 79. He was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on April 11, 1943, to William and Florence Collier Allgaier of Merrimack New Hampshire, and was baptized at St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish on August 1st, 1943 in Manchester, NH. After graduating from Merrimac High School, bill graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration where he met the love of his life, Dianne Howe. He later graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Master of Business Administration, and completed Air Command and Staff College, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Dianne Allgaier of Goldsboro, North Carolina; daughter, Debra L. Allgaier of Clayton, NC; daughter, Jennifer M. Herr of Brandon, FL; sister Carol Kenway; brother Robert “Bob” Allgaier, niece Petra Skapa, niece Amy Howard; Godchild and cousin Dawn Eisenhower, Godchild Richard Morrill; cousins: Cathy Stavenger, Anne Allgaier, Lynne Pooler; and a host of other dear relatives and friends.

Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force in April 1966 in Merrimack. After graduating from pilot training, his military career spanned 22 years of assignments that included flying missions in Vietnam, flying the KC-135, AT-33, and T-37B, and a 4-year stint as a Minuteman Launch Control Officer before returning to his life’s passion of flying fighters, specifically the F-4, while serving as Assistant Operations Officer and Chief of Training. Wanting to provide his daughters stability through their school years, Gator also accepted a remote year-long tour in Iceland as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations and Air Defense Commander, Air Forces Iceland so that he could return for another tour at Seymour Johnson AFB as Chief of Safety of the 4th TFW followed by serving as Chief, Wing Inspections and Exercises.

Gator was awarded a number of medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Svc Mdl with one cluster, Air Medal with two silver clusters, AF Commendation Mdl, Distinguished-Presidential Unit Award with one cluster, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Mdl, National Defense Svc Mdl Vietnam Svc Mdl with four stars, AF Overseas Short Tour Rbn with one cluster, AF Longevity Svc Award Rbn with four clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Rbn, AF Training Rbn, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Mdl and had a total of 3750 total military flying hours, 1100 instructor hours, 1230 tactical fighter hours, and 685 combat hours (330 sorties).

After proudly serving his country for over 22 years. Following his military service he joined McDonnell-Douglas as a KC-10 instructor teaching other pilots. After a stint as a MetLife insurance agent, Bill returned to Seymour Johnson as an instructor for Boeing for the F-15.

Bill was a proud member of the Order of Daedalians whose precepts are to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, to demonstrate the love of country, to accent the ideal of sacrifice which places service to country above self, and to consecrate the memory of those who served and who serve. Bill embodied each of those and worked hard in helping plan programs for the members and in organizing the awards of scholarships to ROTC candidates. He also was a member of the Air Force Officers Association.

Bill’s passion was playing bridge with friends made at the Goldsboro Duplicate Bridge Club. He also enjoyed playing and watching golf on TV. Bill was a proud blood donor to the American Red Cross.

Bill was a rock of strength to family and friends, a fount of wisdom and knowledge, a provider, a caretaker, and a hero. He loved God, his family, his numerous friends, and the United States of America.

A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home. The family will visit one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. at Seymour Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to Tunnel to Towers at 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306 or online, or memorials may be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project at 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 or online in memory of Bill.

Services have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.seymourfuneralhome.com.