The base Banks built

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When Williams Banks first arrived at Dyess, the base was flying B-47s and was part of the Strategic Air Command. Fifty years and three aircraft later, he's ready to call it quits.

Mr. Banks was born and raised in Carrolton, Ky., and worked with his parents on the farm.

In his spare time, he loved to play golf, fish and hunt.

"Growing up I spent most of my time working on the farm," said Mr. Banks, 7th Contracting Squadron director of business. "But when I had spare time, I loved to go fishing in the Ohio River."

Mr. Banks joined the military in August of 1940 with dreams of doing just one year.

"I joined the Army in 1940 planning to do a year, but was forced to do six because of the war," Mr. Banks said. "We flew a B-17 into Europe and supported the war by handing out equipment to the Soldiers."

When he returned home from the war, he got out of the military and entered pilot school.

"I never took a career in it because my wife always said 'they're not here to stay,'" he said.

He first arrived at Dyess in 1956, a year after the base opened.

"The base hasn't changed a whole lot," he said. "There are a couple new buildings and we changed the roof tops, but that's about it."

Mr. Banks guides the 7 CONS's small business program, reviews contract files prior to award and plays a major role in acquisition planning.

"Mr. Banks is a wealth of contracting know how to our base and beyond," said Maj. John Del Barrio, 7th Contracting Squadron commander. "His contributions to Dyess are immense. In many ways, you could say this is the base Banks built."

Mr. Banks said one of his greatest honors during his career here was being a team member involved with the building of the commissary.

After 67 years of faithful service, Dyess prepares to bid farewell to Mr. Banks, who is scheduled to retire June 30 at the Hangar Center.

Throughout his career, he won many awards including Civilian of the Year at Air Force level.

In 1942, Mr. Banks met his wife while stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. They were married for 64 years before she passed away in 2006.

He has two daughters, four grand-children and seven great-grand children.