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Benny H. 'Ben' Baddley Oakton, VA QCWA # 28994 |
Benny "Ben" Howard Baddley August 15, 1937 - January 28, 2021
Benny "Ben" Howard Baddley, Lieutenant Colonel USAF (retired), 83 of Oakton, VA was called home on January 28, 2021. Ben was the devoted husband to Wanda; married almost 59 years, who preceded him in death in February 2020; loving Dad to Brenda R. Baddley of Charlottesville and Brian (Kathleen) Howard Baddley of Haymarket, VA; adoring Grandpa to grandson Parker Howard Baddley, and granddaughter, Morgan S. Baddley; favorite brother-in-law to Dan (Carol) Gravens of St. Louis, Uncle to Chris Gravens, David Gravens and Laura (Ken) Mueller and great nieces, Anna and Clara Mueller and many loving cousins and friends. Ben was born August 15, 1937 to the late Arthur and Ada (Howard) of Paducah, KY. He graduated from A. Tilghman High School in 1955 and began his studies at the University of Kentucky that fall. Satisfying the required ROTC courses to graduate, Ben exceled in many area including leadership and scholarship, receiving various honors. Ben was a cadet in the Pershing Rifles, which was the foundation of his 23-year Air Force career. Ben graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 1960 with a B.A. in Political Science and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He met his wife Wanda (Gravens) in the fall of 1956 on a double date; they married on April 29, 1961. He chose navigator training and received his flight wings in May 1961; bombardier, and nuclear weapons training followed. Ben served 13 years in Strategic Air Command (SAC) and was assigned to crews through 1969 at bases all over the U.S., as a Navigator/Bombardier with the B-47 and the B-58 "The Hustler". The B-58 program was cancelled in 1970 and Ben was assigned to the FB-111 program in New England. In 1974, he received his master's degree in Management (Public Administration) from Golden Gate University. Ben was selected for assignment to the B-1 program at Andrews AFB for monitoring flight tests. When the program was cancelled, he assisted in the shutdown. His final Air Force assignment was with the Defense Communication Agency (DCA) in northern Virginia. Ben retired as a Lt. Col. in 1983 with 1000 hours of flight time. He joined the private sector for the next 16 years and retired from Booz Allen Hamilton as a defense communications contractor in 1999. Retirement did not slow Ben down at all. He continued his love of reading, singing in the church choir, serving as a docent at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, attending the activities (sports, church, and school functions) of his grandchildren; traveling abroad with Wanda, care and maintenance of his cars and what would be Ben's lifelong love of amateur radio.
He was a "Ham" operator for 68 years beginning at age 15; call sign W4FQT. He was a member of the National Capitol DX Association, (NCDA), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and (past president) of the Vienna Wireless Society. Ben attended "ham fests" throughout the U.S. and was known for the 60 ft. radio tower in the yards of many homes both on and off base. Ben will be remembered for his devotion and love for family and friends, his strong faith, his love of babies, little kids and dogs; his charm and "wicked" sense of humor. All who loved and knew him will miss him dearly. "Ops normal".
Due to COVID-19, there will be small private service at the Money and King Funeral Home, Vienna, VA on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM. The service will be livestreamed and available for viewing using the link below this obituary in the "Events" section by clicking the link that says "Live Webcast Watch Event" or on the "Tribute Wall" section.
A graveside service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery, followed by a "Celebration of Life" gathering is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ben's memory to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
