Colonel Wilson Petefish

Colonel Wilson “Pete” Petefish

Colonel Wilson “Pete” Petefish, USAF (Ret.) passed away February 23, 2009. He was born October 11, 1928 in Meade, Kansas to Charles and Ethel (Wilson) Petefish. He served in the Air Force for 31 years. He was a Pilot and flew a total of 5330 flight hours including 757 flight combat hours (535^th, 1969). He retired July 1, 1977 from Randolph AFB where he served as Director of Manpower and Organization for 5 years. His service decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

After retirement, he operated a mobile auto repair business in the Randolph Area until 1991. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians (National Fraternity of Military Pilots) Stinson’s Flight #2, and the American Legion Post 667. He was an active member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, serving as president for 6 years and recently served as secretary. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Mother Theresa Assembly 2523 and achieved the status of Fourth Degree Knight. He served as Grand Knight 1991-1993 and was a two term District Deputy for the Archdiocese of Columbia.

Col. Petefish was actively involved in partisan and non-partisan politics since 1986. He served on the City Council for Universal City from 1990-1994 and on the Texas State Republican Executive Committee in the early 1990s. A long time runner, he took up race-walking in 1994. He competed in races at the Texas Senior Olympic games in 1997 and 1999.

Colonel Petefish is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Jennie Marie Petefish and Zola Ruth Haskell. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 57 years Betty Petefish; daughters, Marion Bizé and her husband Gerry Sherman, Lauren Hernandez and her husband Joe, and Stephanie Walters; granddaughter Nicolette Bizé Crocker; brother Charles Petefish and his wife Jo Anne; sister Wanda Grantham and her husband Wilbur.

The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice Care for their excellent care and compassion. Visitation will was Sunday, March 1, 2009 from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral Mass was concelebrated Monday, March 2, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 501 North St., Converse, TX 78109 with Father Dennis Aréchiga, Monsignor Patrick Flanagan, and Father Mauricio Lopez as the celebrants. Interment followed at Fort Sam Houston National cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers are Pablo Garcia, Joe Hernandez, Victor Moossy, Jesse Rodriguez, Gerry Sherman, and Ken Tillman; honorary pallbearers Leroy Fey, Bill Kriz, and Charles Petefish.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to St. Monica’s St. Vincent de Paul Society.