'Tuskegee Airman' William Booker Passes Away at 90 | RallyPoint.com

The things this man lived through...the things his eyes saw...the bravery and courage that defined so much of his life.

It's hard to put into words what this veteran has meant to our military community.

So from all of us, please accept our humble 'Thank You'.

Blue Skies, Sir!

-- The RallyPoint.com team

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SEATTLE — One of the first African American military aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen, William L. Booker, has died at the age of 90.

Booker's family says he died Nov. 30 at a Kirkland, Wash., nursing home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

This undated image released by the Booker family shows Tuskegee Airmen, William L. Booker, one of the first black military aviators, who died, Nov. 30, 2013, at a Kirkland, Wash., nursing home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, the family said. (AP Photo/Booker Family)

Booker served as a navigator and flight engineer on B-25 bombers with the 477th Bombardment Group based at Godman Field, Ky. He flew with all-black crews with pilots trained in Alabama at Tuskegee Institute.

After World War II he worked for Boeing for 34 years. He served 10 years as president of the local Tuskegee Airmen's chapter.

Booker is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dolores, two sons, two daughters and grandchildren.

A memorial will be held Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Seattle.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press