SALTER, William (Bill) Townsend (Salty Old Bill)

William Townend "Salty Old Bill"Salter The White Mountain Independent Show Low, Arizona - 06/06/2003 William Townend Salter of Show Low, died Friday May 30, 2003 in San Diego, California, surrounded by family. William (Bill) was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and later moved to Chicago and then Mississippi with his parents, Gwen Price Salter and Harry Townend Salter, both originally from England. His father Harry was a "wildcat" oil producer. Bill had a beautiful voice, having been trained by opera greats Anna Fitzu and Edna Kellogg. Bill served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, and was the soloist heard singing the Bombardier and Army Air Corps songs on the radio. His future wife Barbara heard him for the first time on the radio, and fell in love with his lyrical baritone, never imagining that they would one day meet. They married December 14, 1947. Bill's longtime hobby and passion was ham radio. He was known to other "hams" around the globe as K6GJD. Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara; his sons Craig and Bill; his daughters Gwen Petty, Sue Oemcke and Sheila Caldarelli; and his 10 grandchildren, Justin, Meagan, Gencie, Jordan, Chelsea, Rachel, Camille, Emily, Olivia and Isabella. Bill will be remembered at a memorial service Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 424 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.