Major Billy J. Atto Usaf (Ret)

Retired Air Force Maj. Billy J. Atto, 85, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015, at his home in Grapevine after a brief illness.

Service: Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday by Father Dennis Atto. Private interment: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Memorials: May be made to National Right to Life.

Billy Joe "Bill" was born in Palestine, Ill., on Oct. 16, 1929, to the late Willie B. and Joyce Hert Atto. He graduated from Palestine High School in 1947. His cherished wife of 56 years, Sylvia Kiedrowski Atto, preceded him in death in 2013.

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1970. He was a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with additional oak leaf cluster. At the close of his military career, he was a launch control officer with the Minuteman Missile Command.

During his retirement, he spent many years with his "Sweet" Sylvia, enjoying time with their family, especially their grandchildren.

Survivors: Daughters, Deborah Martin and husband, Wayne, Mary Ann and husband, Dr. Farrell Hass; sons, Father Dennis Atto, Michael, Kevin and wife, Ruth, and William and wife, Maureen; grandchildren, Patrick and Jacob Martin, James Hass, Katherine, William, Joseph, Elizabeth and Regina Atto; beloved sister, Eleanor Goodwin; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. We all loved him deeply and he is greatly missed.