Edgar William Symons, 88 of Sheridan, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the Billings Clinic.

Ed was born on April 20, 1924 in Sheridan, WY to parents John Henry and Bethel (Ruff) Symons. After high school he attended the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO.

He joined the Army Air Corps and served in India Burma and China during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He flew 100 combat missions and achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant before leaving the service in 1952 to return home to farm.

He married Fay Jackson in Sheridan, WY on July 25, 1953.

As a child, Ed's fascination with flight began when a barnstormer landed at the family farm. He took great joy in passing that love of flying to others. Astronaut Jim Erwin remembered being taken under Dad's "wing" at flight school in Yuma AZ between the two wars. After returning to Sheridan, he purchased a Cessna 120; there are countless residents who were given their first taste of flying in that plane.

Ed was past Exalted Ruler of Elks 520, Peters Grazing Association, First Methodist Church and the Big Horn and Sheridan County Historical Societies.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Jim Pohlhammer, grandson; Edgar Symons, great grandson; Christopher "Kitt" Schirmer and sister, Janet Kukuchka.

He is survived by his brother; Charles Symons of Seattle, WA and his children; Gail Symons of Pewaukee, WI, Carl (Darley) Symons of Bellingham, WA, Curt Symons of Sheridan, WY and Bob (Rita) Symons of Cheyenne, WY. He is also survived by eight grand-children and thirteen great grand-children.

A Visitation for Ed will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Kane Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, March 24, 2013 at Kane Funeral Home with Reverend Don Derryberry officiating. A Reception will follow at the Sheridan Elk's Club.

Memorials to honor Ed may be made to the Sheridan County Museum at P.O. Box 73, Sheridan, WY 82801

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

SheridanMedia.com - March 21, 2013.