Clyde Lollis, Jr.

Lt. Col. Clyde W. Lollis Jr., United States Air Force Retired, died Thursday, December 20, 2012, at his home. Born August 7, 1922, in Greenville, SC, he was the son of the late Clyde W. and Lexie Grant Lollis and husband, for 51 years, of Florence Sevier Klugh Lollis. Clyde graduated from Parker High School, then attended East Central Junior College in Decatur, Mississippi on a football scholarship, and was a graduate of The University of Nebraska at Omaha. In December 1941, he volunteered to join the U. S. Army Air Corps where he trained as a glider pilot. He then transferred to the flying cadet program, trained in B-17 bombers, and joined a crew bound for England and the Eighth Air Force where he flew 31 missions in the 418th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. His plane was shot down in enemy territory but he was able to bring the plane and crew in for a safe landing in allied territory. After World War II he remained in the Air Force and was commissioned as a regular officer. As a pilot he flew 150 flights to Berlin during the Berlin crisis of 1948 and 1949. He later served in the Air Transport Tactical and Research and Development Commands. In 1962, he was assigned to serve in Vietnam as senior advisor to the Bien Hoa supply and maintenance depot. He was in the Southern Command as an advisor to the Argentine Air Force for three years in Buenos Aires. To end his 28 years of active U. S. Air Force duty, he was assigned as Chief Transport Section, Flight Test Division, Research and Development Command. Military decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, a charter member and past president of the Daniel Morgan Chapter of The Military Officers Association of America, The War Birds, the Masonic Order, and also a member of the Piedmont Club and Country Club of Spartanburg. Surviving are his sister, Frances Lollis Gaston and her husband William W. Gaston, III; brother, Carey E. Lollis; niece, Patricia C. Gaston, and nephew, W. Wylie Gaston IV, both of Atlanta, GA; and other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he is predeceased by a brother, Benjamin G. Lollis. Visitation will be 1:00-1:45 PM Friday, December 28, 2012, in the parlor at First Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Laura Palmer. Burial with military honors by the U. S. Air Force will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. The family wishes to thank, with grateful hearts, the loving care given to Clyde during his illness by: Linda & Charles Stacey, Sandra Stacey, Debbie Hicks, Noel Parris, and Toya Hancock. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Clyde W. Lollis, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.