William David Telford

COLONEL WILLIAM DAVID TELFORD
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Born in Brooklyn, New York, William David "Bill" Telford was the son of William Edward and Audrey Telford, natives of Ontario, Canada. Though his birth family retained their Canadian citizenship, Bill fell in love with aviation and devoted his life to serving the United States.

Following high school, Bill pursued engineering studies for two years at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute while simultaneously serving as a member of the Air National Guard. When the United States Air Force Academy was established, Bill applied for and earned an appointment to become part of the historic inaugural Class of 1959. As a cadet, he was a member of Cadet Squadron 11 and served on the Dance Committee. He graduated on June 3, 1959, earning his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

AIR FORCE CAREER & OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Upon graduation and navigator training, Bill embarked on a distinguished 27-year active-duty Air Force career. As a young officer navigating B-52 Stratofortresses, he was a member of the historic B-52 crew that established a world record for non-stop flight without refueling. During the tense weeks of the Cuban Missile Crisis, he flew critical operational missions as part of Strategic Air Command’s constant airborne readiness posture.

His career spanned operational, testing, academic, and staff leadership roles across the country and overseas:

• Strategic Bombing & Tactics Testing: Served as a navigator with the 450th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, ND, and the 781st Bomb Squadron at Robins AFB, GA, before being selected for the HQ Strategic Air Command (SAC) Tactics Test Office at Offutt AFB.
• Vietnam War Service: After completing graduate education through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Bill deployed to South Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as a planner with the SAC Advance Division (SACADVON) at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
• HQ USAF & AFLC Strategic Planning: Throughout the 1970s, Bill took on high-level force planning roles, serving in Plans and Programs (P&PO) at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon, and later as Chief of the Strategic Forces Branch (I/Plans/DirPgms) at Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
• Senior Executive Leadership: Bill concluded his active-duty career as Vice Commander of the Defense Personnel Support Center in Philadelphia, PA, retiring in the rank of Colonel (O-6).

POST-MILITARY CAREER & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Following his retirement from active duty, Colonel Telford transitioned into executive leadership in the non-profit sector. From 1982 to 1994, he served as Vice President for the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) in Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia, expanding employment opportunities for individuals with vision impairment.

Upon his second retirement in 1994, Bill settled at Smith Mountain Lake (SML) in Bedford County, Virginia. He became a pillar of his local community, giving back through extensive civic leadership:

• SML Lions Club & Scholarship Trust: Active leader and President of the SML Lions Scholarship Trust.
• Civic & Regional Boards: Executive board involvement with the Franklin County Red Cross, the Smith Mountain Lake Association, and the SML Home Tour.
• Community Leadership: Served as HOA President for two residential communities near the lake.

Known for his integrity, leadership, and warmth, Bill and his rescue dog, Kelly, were familiar figures on daily walks around the neighborhood.

FAMILY & PERSONAL LIFE

In June 1959, following his graduation from USAFA, Bill married Emely Jensen, with whom he shared four children: Bill Jr., Ric, John, and Jana. Later in life, Bill married his beloved wife, Annie, with whom he spent 32 wonderful years at Smith Mountain Lake, expanding his family with two stepsons, Peter and Chris White.

Bill passed away in 2020. He is remembered as a cherished "Opa" to his ten grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta, Virginia, with final internment at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

EDUCATION

• Engineering Studies – Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute (1953–1955)
• Bachelor of Science – United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1959)
• Graduate Studies – Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) (1968–1969)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1960–1963 B-52 Navigator 450th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, ND
1963–1965 B-52 Navigator 781st Bomb Squadron, Robins AFB, GA
1965–1968 Tactics Test Officer HQ Strategic Air Command (SAC), Offutt AFB, NE
1968–1969 AFIT Student Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1969–1970 SACADVON Planner Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam
1970–1975 Plans & Programs Officer (P&PO) HQ USAF, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
1976–1979 Chief, Strategic Forces Branch (DirPgms/Plans) HQ Air Force Logistics Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1980–1982 Vice Commander Defense Personnel Support Center, Philadelphia, PA
DECORATIONS & MILITARY AWARDS


Defense Superior Service Medal 1
Legion of Merit 1
Distinguished Flying Cross 1
Bronze Star Medal 1
Meritorious Service Medal 3
Air Medal 3
Air Force Commendation Medal 3