Obituary of William Harold Kruger

William Harold Kruger (Bill), 79, passed away December 5, 2023, in his home in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born December 16, 1944, in Manhattan, New York to Arthur Kruger and Louise Huerstel Kruger. Bill grew up in Phoenix, Arizona living in his grandparent’s home with his mom and his sister Betty Kruger. Bill graduated from Washington High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 1963. He married Susan Kay Mason of San Angelo, Texas on June 24, 1974 in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in San Angelo, Texas, and they remained married until her passing in April 18, 2014.

Bill was a Vietnam Veteran and was very proud of his military service. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1968. His highest rank was Sergeant. He worked on Air Force planes as a hydraulic mechanic during his military career. Bill’s Unit of Service was Strategic Air Command; Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Tactical Air Command; 314th Combat Support Group, 99th Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force. He served in various Air Force bases in his military career including; Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Osan Air Force Base, Korea; Chig Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan; Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam.

Bill was a mechanic at one of the Phoenix car dealerships and later worked and retired at Motorola in Phoenix, Arizona. Bill also had a dog named Vixie that he loved and cared for very much.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Susan Kay Mason Kruger, his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Lacefield, and his half-brother Joseph Kruger. He is survived by his half-brother Donald Kruger of Merritt Island, Florida, his cousins Diane Didier of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Donna Brown of Prairieville, Louisiana, Dottie Runnels of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Noel Huerstel of Phoenix, Arizona, Sherilyn Litzkow of Lindstrom, Minnesota, and Eugene Huerstel of Forest Lake, Minnesota.

Bill enjoyed being with his friends in Phoenix sharing good food and conversation at the breakfast and dinner clubs his last few years of his life. Bill will be buried with his wife Susan Kay Kruger and with Military honors at the National Veterans Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.