Everett Blome

Everett William "Bill" Blome of Little Rock, passed away on November 8, 2010, just short of his 93rd birthday. Born on November 11, 1917, Bill was raised and worked in Chicago, but retired to Pensacola, Florida and later to Little Rock. The first uniform that Bill Blome ever wore was for the Boy Scouts. At age 12 he rescued another boy from the cold waters of Lake Michigan and a lifesaving medal duly noted his bravery in a newspaper photo. The next uniform was for Army ROTC. At his Chicago High School he was an expert marksman and rose to the rank of Captain.
The next uniform was for baseball. Bill played catcher for American Legion and made it to the national championship. He was headed to a career with the Chicago White Sox when a different draft called.
He began his Army career early in 1941. By December 1st of that year he had been accepted to pilot school with the Army Air Corps. He began flying a Bi-Plane - A Stearman PT-17. He rapidly advanced through the levels of flight school flying a Voltee Valiant, then an AT-6, and after being chosen at the top of his flight class he was picked to fly a P-39 fighter. His skill at aerial combat led him to the training command where he taught others in aerial combat and ground attacks. He quickly attained the rank of Captain. Working with the ordinance command he helped develop skip bombing techniques needed to stop German supply trains. Flying the P-40, P-38 and then the P-51D at Eglin Air Force base, he continued to test ordinance and aircraft. One job had him take a P-51 to 51,000 feet altitude. Another led to the first test firings of rockets from aircraft. He fired at a tank on a barge in the bay. Both targets went to the bottom.
During his busy military career he met and married his only sweetheart, June Goodwin Helie of Pensacola, Florida. Their 66 years of marriage led them back to Chicago where he was an executive with Belden Wire Corporation. After a long career they retired to Pensacola, Florida where the uniform of the day was for golf. In 1999 they moved to Little Rock to be near one of two sons and three of four grandchildren. But Arkansas was not a new state for Bill Blome. In the 60's he brought jobs to Arkansas. At the invitation of Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, Mr. Blome built two Belden wire manufacturing plants in the state, one in Dumas, the other in Clinton.
Bill Blome is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, June Goodwin Blome, by oldest son, Richard Blome of McLean, Virginia and his wife, Wendy and daughter, Meg . He is survived as well by son, Ron Blome of Little Rock and his wife, Carolyn and daughters, Erin and Cara and grandson, Jeff.
A wonderful life ended in a wonderful way at Hospice Home Care of Little Rock. Cancer of the Spine had brought him great pain, but his surgeon, Dr. Justin Seale, along with Dr. Morgan Sauer and the Hospice care team brought him great relief.
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at Noon on Friday, November 12 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. A reception for friends will be held on November 26th at the home.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Mr. Blome's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.