FELTON - William Joseph Palmisano, Sr. passed away suddenly on June 26, 2016. Bill was the son of the late Carl I. and Mary Veronica (Canty) Palmisano. He was born in Ventnor City, N.J. on Nov. 4, 1931 and grew up in West Medford, Mass. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1978 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. During his military career, he flew as a loadmaster on every cargo aircraft in the AF inventory from the C-54 to the C-5 and spent part of his career in the classroom as an instructor loadmaster. He served during the Korean Conflict, flying supplies to Korea and the wounded from Korea to Japan. His experience as an aircraft loadmaster led to his assignment as an instructor at Sheppard AFB Texas, where he became involved in the development of load handling systems on the then newest cargo plane, the C-141. His service in Vietnam was as a member of a small elite cadre stationed in Nha Trang AB who flew various highly classified missions on C-123 aircraft. He received many awards during his career, including the Air Medal with nine devices, several Commendation Awards, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Bill was well known for his sense of humor and quick wit, as well as his penchant for practical jokes. He kept everyone laughing with his puns. Bill was an amateur history buff and although he was sometimes wrong, he was never in doubt. He made friends easily and enjoyed healthy discourse, but he did not suffer fools gladly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Carl M. Palmisano. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pat; three sons, Williams J. Jr. (Kate), of Quakertown, Pa., Paul A. (Jerry), of Satellite Beach, Fla., and Christopher D. (Michele), of Griffin, Ga.; six grandchildren, Erica Palmisano, Angela Gregory (Edgar), Brian Palmisano (Megan), Amy Krum, Megan Eckert (Philip), and Terry Gunn (Jack); great-grandchildren, Colin and Aiden Eckert, Jack and Wesley Krum, Ashleigh and Courtney Trifunov; sister, Maryellen Rockwell (Rocky); nieces, Karen Snook (David), and Kristen Cota, all of Eliot, Maine. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE, 19966. Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.