William D. "Bill" Heier, 90, passed away October 29, 2010. As a young man Bill went to Canada and joined the RCAF as a pilot. When the United States entered World War II, Bill transferred to the US Navy and then the Marine Corps where he joined 49 other pilots in the South Pacific forming the VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron. He shot down four enemy aircraft with three more "probable" combat victories. During a strafing mission in 1943 his Corsair was hit by gunfire requiring him to ditch in the waters off Vella Lavella. Fortunately, he was picked up by a boat of SeaBees who saw him eject and helped him safely return to his squadron. In 1976, the Black Sheep Squadron became the basis for a TV show starring Robert Conrad as Commander Greg "Pappy" Boyington. During the Korean war, Bill flew helicopters and F-4U jets in combat. Over a 22 year military career he was decorated many times as a pilot and leader. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel. Bill Heier's second career began with a Masters from George Washington University and a PhD in Business Administration from American University. In 1962 he moved to Tampa, FL and taught for four years at the University of South Florida. In 1966, he moved to Tempe and taught for 17 years in the College of Business at ASU retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1983. Bill and his wife, Carolyn, traveled with International Executive Service Corps as a teacher/consultant to universities in Indonesia, Pakistan and Kenya. He was also involved in Arizona's Credit Union industry. Working as a volunteer, he served at Tempe Schools Credit Union and was instrumental in getting a federal charter for Citizens Union Bank providing Arizona Credit Unions with access to electronic transfers within the US Banking system. Bill Heier is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn, two sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.