CAMDEN — William
Slaughter
Lt. Cmdr. William Turner Slaughter, 85, received his ‘Permanent Change of Station Orders’ on March 19, 2019, and has relocated from his home in Houston, Texas, to his home in heaven to spend eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Bill’s family and friends remember him as a quiet, thoughtful man whose words, always carefully measured, were both witty and wise. Proud and patriotic, he spent his adult years providing for his family and serving his country with dedication and loyalty.
Known as “Kingfish” to his classmates and fellow naval officers, Bill relished his life as a fighter pilot. Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1956, he entered flight training at Whiting Field in Pensacola, Florida, and received his wings in November 1957. Bill flew multiple jet aircraft including the F-11A, F-9, A-3, and his favorite—the A-4. He served two tours of duty as a flight instructor, training and mentoring young fighter pilots, which is a role he savored.
In the course of his career, he earned two master’s degrees, one in international affairs from George Washington University, and the other in education from Memphis State University. Bill was honored to have been selected to attend the U.S. Naval War College where he graduated in 1970. As a civilian, Bill designed and developed flight training systems for McDonnell Douglas until his final retirement in 1994.
A brother, Tommy Slaughter, preceded Bill in death.
William - or Bill as his friends and family called him - was born in Camden, Arkansas, the son of Neill and Stella Slaughter. Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Claudette Hamaker Slaughter, also of Camden, and now living in Houston. He also leaves behind his and Claudette’s three ‘Slaughter Daughters’—Dawn Lindsey, Ambra Watkins, and Caprice Weaver; a son, Charles Daniel; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Immediate family members include sisters, Peggy Jones and Rita Huddleston.
Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at First Baptist Church in Camden, followed by a military service at Union Cemetery at 203 Ouachita 50. Lunch will be served in the Fellowship Center at First Baptist Church after the interment.
Visitation will befrom 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, at the funeral home.
To sign the online guest register visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.