SIERRA VISTA - William Burks Breeding, a long-time resident of Sierra Vista, passed away on August 2, 2022, after a short illness.

He was born June 30, 1931, in Monterey, Tennessee, the only son of Lee A. and Mary Kate (Horn) Breeding. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, with a BS degree in industrial engineering, in June 1953.

He entered the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 1953 and later integrated into the Regular Army as a 1st LT in 1957 at West Berlin, Germany. Bill's career in the Army spanned 30 years and included service in Germany, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, the Panama Canal Zone, and numerous duty stations in the continental United States. While stationed at HQ, Defense Communications Agency (DCA), outside of Washington, DC, he served as deputy program manager (DPM) for the Defense Special Secure Communications System (DSSCS)/Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) Integration Program from 1968 to 1971. In Korea he served as the commanding officer of two long-lines signal battalions LLBN- South (Teague) & LLBN -North (Seoul)] during 1971 and 1972. Bill served again as a DPM for products & special systems at the Communications Systems Agency (CSA), Fort Monmouth, NJ, from 1973 to 1976. Decorations include the Joint Services Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit/oak leaf clusters.

After retirement from the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca in 1981, he was a real estate associate in the local area until 1985. Bill worked as a systems engineer for a government contractor in Europe from 1985 to 1990, returning to the local real estate market until the year 2000 and a permanent retirement.

He enjoyed golf, boating, tennis, fishing, hiking, camping, OHV (all terrain vehicle) riding and traveling. Bill was an extensive traveler, having visited all seven continents, more than seven seas, and over 75 different countries. He was a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. He was active in local organizations i.e., a Cochise County Superior Court appointed arbitrator & mediator, a member of the Coronado Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Sierra Vista Elks Lodge #2065, the Thunder Mountain Trekkers, Friends of the Huachuca Mountains, a Kartchner Caverns State Parks volunteer, member of the Pueblo Del Sol Country Club, the Tuesday Hikers, and secretary/treausrer of the Huachuca Hiking Club.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Janis Wilson Breeding from Tyrone, PA, on June 6, 2000.

A son, Bruce R. Breeding of Atlanta, GA; and an adopted son, Charles R. Breeding of Augusta, GA, survive him; both sons were by a previous marriage in 1960.

Graveside services with military honors will be held on Friday, August 19, at 10:00 AM at the Fort Huachuca Post Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hatfield Funeral Home. Those who wish to ride in procession should arrive at the Widow Support Center parking lot, located at the Buffalo Soldier Trail/Fry Blvd gate, no later than 9:30 AM.