Larry Barnett:

carlar@srt.com

Bill Maple died while piloting his Piper Comanche 180 in eastern Illinois in May 1972. I was supposed to be on the flight with him, but did not get off work as a Bethalto policeman until 9 PM. He and three others left Bethalto airport at approximately 8:30 and went down in a thunderstorm, all perished. He was my best friend in high school, but transferred to East Alton - Wood River High after our sophomore year. I was a groomsman in his wedding and he was best man in mine, driving to Crosby, ND to do so! He left a widow, the former Jan Harpole of Wood River, and infant daughter.