William A. "Bill" Allen IV

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, William A. "Bill" Allen, IV of Alexandria, VA passed away of coronary artery disease. Bill was the son of William Alfonso III and Gladys Marie Allen, born on October 24, 1939 in Atlanta, GA, and older brother to Richard W. Allen. Bill and Janice were sweethearts at East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio State Championship Track Team and drummer in the band for three years. After a three year engagement Bill and Jan were married during their college years. As a result of this union, Marcus Lloyd was born in Cleveland, OH. In December 1961, while at Central State University, Bill crossed over into the land of Alpha Phi Alpha, (his second love). He graduated from Central State with a degree in Physics. Bill was commissioned into the U.S. Army (Artillery) as a 2nd lieutenant and became the Battery Executive Officer. From there he was accepted into flight school and moved his family to Ft Rucker Alabama were his second child Dawn Marie was born. During his initial schooling at Ft Rucker, he was certified in the fixed wing (Bird Dog) aircraft; later schooling certified him in the Mohawk (OV1); and rotary wing aircrafts. Bill was always promoted above his contemporaries. He spent much of his career between Ft Sill, OK (Battalion Exec Officer) and 3rd Corps Artillery Group Arlington, IL, (Aviation Det CDR); and Ft Rucker, AL where he learned to fly the remaining Army aircraft. In the interim, he and family spent nine months at Ft Bragg, NC and met many lifelong friends. Afterwards Bill spent two tours in Vietnam; first as a reconnaissance pilot, and second tour as Aviation Co Opns Off and was awarded the Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and Distinguished Flying Cross. He later earned 23 air medals, the Army Commendation Award, and the Master Aviators Badge. He returned to Ft Sill for the Army Career Course and was fortunate to be selected for the Navy Test Pilot School (TPS), his other dream. As the hold baggage was shipped to Germany, the family went to TPS at Paxtuxent River, MD where Bill as a Maj completed the course, but was not allowed to graduate. This was devastating to him emotionally and also to his career. After completing his tour at Ft Sill, Bill was sent to Tehran, Iran as an aviation instructor, but only learned a few words of Farsi! It was a fun and rewarding tour but encompassed many dangers. In Iran, the family learned to ski on one of the highest mountains in the country. Returning to the U.S. Bill served with the Navy as Army Project Mgr/Joint Technical Group for Aircraft Survivability. During that time, Bill attained a Master Degree in Program Mgt. He retired from the Army after 23 years. His second career was with the U.S Navy while residing in Alexandria, VA, where he served as Project Engineer, Project Manager, and Program Manager Classified projects and programs including the space shuttle and Tomahawk Missile. Bill also worked at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. and he was in the building when it was attacked by a sniper’s gunfire. Fortunately, he was not hurt, although many others met their demise that day. Bill later retired from Civil Service with the U.S. Navy after serving 27 years. He made new friends, some became very close. Bill will now be reunited with those that have transitioned into heaven. There were also new local friends; college friends and family which fulfilled his life as he matured and became bald! He volunteered for elementary school tutoring, after school. Bill became a deacon in the church when his family first moved to Alexandria. He and his children spent weekends camping, fishing, playing tennis, and racquetball. Everyone had learned to ski and golf with lots of "minor skirmishes." It was great fun and he loved being with his family whom were first in his heart. Bill was best known for his engineering expertise, love of aviation, fondness of jazz, and his dedication to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He loved to fish and bowl, was an avid reader and history buff. His proudest accomplishments were his children, for whom he had tremendous respect, love and admiration. He worshipped them for their successes and his wife, whom he loved and adored for giving him two wonderful children. He especially loved his grandson, Christopher and Chris loved his Pop Pop. They spent a lot of time on the phone talking about cars and music. He loved it that Chris was such an accomplished drummer, because that was his pastime in high school. Their relationship was so very special. Bill is survived by his wife, Janice, children Marcus, Dawn Battle (Kevin), grandson, Christopher, brother, Richard Allen (Doris), and cousins - Jacque Bailey (Mike), Susan Booker, Marguerite Schaffner, deceased (Tim ); Janet Crawford (Robert); Karen Preston(Anthony) and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Relatives and friends may call at Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314 on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 10 AM until time of service at 11 AM. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 1 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the IRA Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund. http://idsef.apaxal.com/get-involved/donate/ A block of rooms have been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 901 N Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA 22314; 703/683-6000 Cost is $89.00 per night and is under “Allen Event” Round trip transportation to the church is provided by Alfred Street Baptist Church.

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William A. "Bill" Allen IV

October 24, 1939 - May 8, 2018