Willie Baxter

Baxter, Lieutenant Colonel Willie

Lieutenant Colonel Baxter was born January 4, 1939 in Greenville, Mississippi and is a 1958 graduate of Coleman High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master’s degree in Planning and Public Administration from Pepperdine University. His military education includes the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, Police Administration Institute at the University of Southern California, Traffic Institute at Northwestern University, Officers Training School, Squadron Officers School, and Air Command and Staff College.

Lieutenant Colonel Baxter enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1961. He subsequently completed basic training and the Security Police Academy at Lackland AFB, Texas. His first duty assignment was as a Security Policeman at Clark Air Base, Philippines. Between December 1963 to August 1973, he performed in a variety of Security Supervisory positions at Dow AFB, Maine, the Republic of South Vietnam, and Castle AFB, California. During his tenure at Dow AFB he was selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant. He also completed the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School garnering the Commandant’s Award and Speech Award. In 1967, he was selected by the National Jaycees as one of its Outstanding Young Men of America.

In February 1969, he was assigned as the Chief Security Police at Hon Tre Island Republic of South Vietnam. In this capacity, he directed Security Operations for the 300 person organization, performing its Air Traffic Control mission.

Lieutenant Colonel Baxter was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1973. His initial assignment as an officer was Chief of Security Police for Detachment 1, 456 Bombardment Wing, Hill AFB, Utah. While there he was selected as the Security Police Company Grade Officer of the Year for the Air Force for 1975.

In July 1975, he was assigned to Headquarters, 15th Air Force at March AFB, California as a Security Police staff officer in the Plans and Programs division. He was subsequently assigned as the Chief of Security Police 7206 Air Base Group, Hellenikon, Greece from July 1978 to December 1980. Remaining in Europe, he was reassigned to Ramstein AB, Germany where he spent three years working as a staff officer in the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Plans and Programs for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Security Police, United States Air Force in Europe.

In January 1984, he became the Commander of the 322d Missile Security Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Returning to the European theater in September 1987, he became the Commander of the 487th Missile Defense Squadron and later Deputy Group Commander for Ground Defense, Comiso AB Italy, He assumed his current and final position as Chief, Nuclear Systems Security Branch, Nuclear Weapon Systems Programs and Evaluation Division, Headquarters Air Force Safety Agency 1989. Lieutenant Colonel Baxter’s 19 decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, and various service medals.

Through 32 years of honorable service to the United States Air Force and the nation, Lieutenant Colonel Baxter never wavered from outstanding professional performance. His wife, Mary has stood faithfully with him. The Baxter’s have seven children; Darnell Baxter, Eric Baxter, Yvette Baxter-Sanchez, residing in Moreno Valley, California; Yolanda Baxter-Howard residing at Camp Pendleton, California; Steven Buck of Morehead, Minnesota, Bradley Buck of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Kristi Buck-Chromy of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Please visit our online guestbook for Willie at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

FRENCH – Westside

9300 Golf Course Rd NW

505-897-0300