Written by Rachel Riley
The friendship shared between Bill and Bud was unlike anything I have ever seen. Lots of us maintain friendships with people we went to school with or previous neighbors. But their devotion to each other was different. It began in the 363rd Fighter Squadron, when Bill consistently flew the “Tail-End Charlie” position on missions. Bill’s job was to protect the flight leader (Bud) and he did it well. Estimating that they both were 20 years old in the beginning and Bill lived until age 92, it follows that they were friends for 72 years!
Bill had unlimited respect for Bud, saying he thought Bud was the best fighter pilot in the world. I remember chatting with Bill in his home office and noticing his calendar hanging on the wall. It contained many birthdays of people I didn’t know at the time, but whom I came to know well. Bill always sent birthday cards to his friends. The US Postal Service made it very easy for him by placing a blue mailbox at the end of his front walkway and across the street. I would be surprised if, after Bud finished overseas deployments, that more than a week would pass by without them checking in on each other. What role models they were and continue to be!
They always were together as much as possible. Here is a sampling of photographs of their dedication to each other. One thing that had not changed was that they believed each would give his life for the other. That’s commitment.
© 2026 William B. Riley and Rachel M. Riley
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