Memorial

W.E. “Bill” Bardwell Jr, Captain, USAF Retired, 87, of Cedar Rapids passed away at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on January 12, 2024. A memorial service will be held on February 10 at 11:00 am at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Burial with military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  

Bill was born in Utica, New York, on January 10, 1937, the son of Warne and Aurora Bardwell. He enlisted in the US Air Force on July 5, 1955. He served 14 years in an enlisted capacity, working primarily as an Airborne Electronic Technician with the United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS). While deployed to Da Nang AFB Vietnam, he flew 104 combat missions over North Vietnam. As a TSGT he was Airman of the Year for the Pacific region. Bill was selected for Officer Training School and received his commission in 1969, spending the remainder of his 25-year Air Force career as an officer. He was chosen Air Training Command Junior Officer of the Year and commended by FEMA due to his work as Logistics Plans Officer at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas, following an F4 tornado that devastated the area in 1979.

Bill was stationed in places including Alaska, Japan (twice), Greece, Texas (3 times), Korea and Ohio. Decorations earned while in the Air Force include: Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Combat Readiness Medal, both Air Force and Army Good Conduct Medals, Vietnam Service Medal with 8 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Valor Devices (combat).

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Bill joined the GPS Program at Rockwell International as a Logistics Programs Manager. Bill retired from Rockwell in 1994.

Bill was always patient, understanding, and full of sage advice. He was a member of Noelridge Christian Church, and was a member of Kokusai 15, Grand Lodge of Japan. He was an avid Cubbie and enjoyed watching soccer. He had many other interests including gardening, playing bridge, weekly trips to the library and walking at the Rockwell Rec Center 6 days a week. His greatest joy was his family; he cherished time spent with them. Bill was a devoted husband, loving father and proud grandpa.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Karen; his sister Mary New; nieces Laurie (Doc) LaMothe and Johanna Donovan; children, Robin Lea (John) Podgorski and their sons Joey and Max, Ed (Tammy) Bardwell and their sons Michael and Thomas, Tracy Jo (Glen) Dargy and their children Noah (Alex) Dargy, Hanna (Matthew) Palazzolo, Grace Dargy (deceased), Seth (Miranda) Dargy, and Faith Dargy, Sean Giebelstein and his children Damon (Lindsey) Wegmuller and Gabby Giebelstein, and Shannon (Justin) Smith and their children Addison, Alaina and Alyvia; great-grandchildren, Hazel Jo Palazzolo and Gage Giebelstein. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Bernita Jo Rutledge, and nephew John Van Dusen.