William Caudle

CAUDLE, WILLIAM N.A longtime resident of Albuquerque, died Thursday, June 20, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn; children, Jeffrey Caudle, Timothy Caudle and wife, Peggy Lynn, of Fuguay Varina, N.C., Eric Caudle of San Diego, CA, William Caudle II and wife, Lisa, of Carlsbad, CA, Dale Harden of Albuquerque, Lori Picchione of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Stillinger and husband, Chuck, of McGuire AFB, N.J., Cassie Burton and husband, Christian, of Albuquerque, Lauren Caudle of Albuquerque, Taylor Caudle of San Diego, CA, Kathryn Caudle of Hawaii, Chance Caudle of Carlsbad, CA; great-grandchildren, Brodie Burton, Mackinzie Burton, and Logan Burton of Albuquerque, Kellie June Stillinger and Madalyn Brooke Stillinger of Maguire AFB, N.J.; sister, Joy Rutledge and husband Charles of Clarksdale, MS; niece, Anne Rutledge of Kemah, TX; nephew, Chuck Rutledge of New Orleans, LA. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Jesse Carl Caudle, and his beloved son, Kelly Caudle. Born in Orlando, FL on July 15, 1929, Bill grew up in numerous cities throughout the South. He attended Vanderbilt University (where he played football) before enlisting in the Air Force. He served as a cryptographer stationed primarily in Germany after WWII. He was discharged as a Staff Sargeant and attended the University of Alabama (ROLL, TIDE!) where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in June, 1957. He accepted a job in the Aerodynamics Dept. at Sandia Labs that same year and moved to Albuquerque. He retired as a Division Supervisor at age 55. He loved camping, fishing, and travel (to anywhere). Bill cherished his family and friends (especially the "good old boys" lunch bunch). As his friends passed away, he mourned their passing. We will miss Dad, "Bubba", Boompa, Gopa. Love you, Will! Cremation has taken place. A gathering will be held in early August (date to be announced). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Bill's favorite charities: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org) and/or Animal Humane New Mexico, 615 Virginia Street S.E., Albuquerque, NM, 87108 (animalhumanenm.org).