WILLIAM E. MANNING MANNING - William E. December 30, 2015, age 94, of Orchard Park, NY. William E. Manning was born on June 10, 1921 in Buffalo, NY to the late William and Irene (nee Connolly) Manning. He grew up in Buffalo's First Ward on Kentucky St. He rode his bike every day to Buffalo Technical High School. Upon graduation, he chose to enlist in the Air Force. During WWII he served with the Alaskan Air Command for seventeen months where he supervised aircrewmen. He made repairs in flight and supervised overhaul and repairs of planes on the ground. Mr. Manning earned The American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. Since he was involved in so many war time aerial conflicts, upon discharge he chose to be transported home by boat. Ironically the boat sank and all aboard swam to a nearby island. After his safe arrival in Buffalo, Mr. Manning took advantage of the GI bill and graduated from NYU with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was immediately hired by General Electric where he worked for 35 years. He was assigned to work in Japan where he and his family lived for 23 years. He led the team that built the first nuclear reactor in Japan. Upon retirement, Mr. Manning settled in Honolulu, HI. He served there in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The 1990's brought Mr. Manning and his wife to Scottsdale, AZ. He had a lifelong appreciation of Japanese art and culture and traveled extensively in India and the Middle East. Upon the death of his wife, Norma Ruth (nee Boyd) in 1999, he returned to Buffalo, NY reuniting with his sister Mary and his extended family. William was the loving father of Sue Ann (Kenneth Cox) Pierce; cherished grandfather of Justin and Christopher Pierce and two great-granddaughters; caring brother of Mary Murphy and the late Jeanette Manning and Patricia Murphy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11 AM from St. John Vianney Church, 2950 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park, NY 14127. Services with Military Honors will be held at The National Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii at a later date. Arrangements by the (Orchard Park Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC. Share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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