We are sad to announce the loss of William Linkenhoker. The man that inspired us to birth Golden Isles Honor Flight. You will be missed. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family in this time of grief and remembrance. In honor of Mr. Linkenhoker the family has requested donations to Coastal Georgia Honor Flight in lieu of flowers.
William Linkenhoker
1924 – 2014 | Obituary
William Bill Linkenhoker – SAVANNAH – William Bill Linkenhoker, 90, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia after a sudden illness. Bill was born January 8, 1924 to Mosby and Blanche Ledbetter Linkenhoker in Lapel, Indiana, the youngest of two children. He attended Lapel High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Sally Mae Barbee. They both graduated in 1942 and were married in 1944. At the time of his death, Bill and Sally had celebrated 70 years together as husband and wife. Bill enlisted in the Navy after high school and served during WWII. He was stationed in the Atlantic, off the coast of Africa, where he was on two different ships that were torpedoed. After returning home, he was accepted into the aviation program where, upon completion, he became a distinguished Silver Eagle – Enlisted Flight Students who trained alongside and completed the same program as other Naval Aviators. Once he had earned his wings, he flew aircrafts and lighter-than-air blimps out of Naval Air Station Pensacola and Glynco Naval Air Station. He eventually became an instructor before his retirement in 1957. After the Navy, Bill became an owner/operator to 17 Shoney franchises across the Southeast. He later ventured into real estate where he developed many properties including Tybrisa Beach (Tybee Island, GA) and Table Rock Golf Resort (Table Rock, SC). Bill loved travelling and spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed being outside where he could fill his birdfeeders, fertilize flowerbeds and restore his Model T automobile. Bill is survived by his wife, Sally; son, Curt (Dawn) Linkenhoker; grandchildren, Kevin (Cynthia) Linkenhoker, Beth (Cliff) Baker, Karen (Aaron) Mumford, Brandi (Travis) Zittrauer, Amber Linkenhoker, Patrick Linkenhoker; nine great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; and long-time assistant Janet (Michael) DeBoe. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Max Linkenhoker and son, Danny Linkenhoker. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 30, 2014 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel. The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 31, 2014 in the Islands Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors with Travis Zittrauer officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery. Remembrances: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation – Honor Flight, 1626 Frederica Road, Suite 201, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Mr. Link had hoped to travel with other WWII Veterans on an Honor Flight slated for May 2015 that would have allowed him to visit their national memorial.
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