William F. Hargraves II

LTC (ret.) William Frederick Hargraves II peacefully passed away on January 21, 2019 at age 86. He was the loving husband of Gene Hargraves; sons, William III (Christy) Hargraves, Jock Hargraves, and Charles Hargraves, step daughters, Morgan Medious and Meggan Johnson.  His grandchildren, William IV (Terri) Hargraves, Marvin Hargraves, Taylor Tadlock, Sarah Tadlock, Joshua Medious, Makenzie Glover, and Jackson Medious. He is also survived by his cousin Langford Hargraves, foster brother, Leon (Daphne) Robinson, godfather of Teddy Jeeter, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William F. I and Annie Hargraves; former wife, Maureen Collins Hargraves, and sister, Beatrice (Tom) Jones.

A leader, Air Force pilot, scholar, teacher, coach, mentor, deacon, and a man who loved his family, William was born in 1932 as the son of William and Annie Leona Thomas Hargraves, who were educators at Covington’s KY Lincoln-Grant School. Attended Lincoln Grant grade school, and graduated from William Grant High School, valedictorian, and Miami University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, Phi Beta Kappa, Kappa Phi Kappa, Phi Mu Epsilon, Alpha Phi Alpha, and commissioned as an Air Force officer.

Hargraves served in various positions during his 30 year career in the Air Force: commander, 20th Military Airlift Squadron, Air Liaison officer research scientist, instructor pilot with 22nd MAC, Air Liaison officer with 1st Army of Vietnam Division, Miami University ROTC assistant professor of aerospace, Chief Flight Deck Research and Development Wright Patterson AFB, and Deputy Division Chief at the Pentagon. His service commendations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, AF Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Service Medal. Following his career in the Air Force, he became an assistant professor and assistant dean of arts and sciences at Central State University. He served 28 years at the university mentoring students, supporting the athletes in Track and Field, and was named to the Black Hall of Fame in 1992. William was the first African American from Covington, KY to become both an US Air Force Pilot and a Rhodes scholar candidate.  His hobby were always focused on service to his family and others.  He enjoyed fellowship with his friends, serving as Trustee Emeritus at the Bethel AME Church, and singing and playing the piano.

A visitation will take place at the Bethel AME Church, 14 South Beech Street, Oxford, Ohio on January 26, 2019 from 10 AM-12 PM.  The funeral service will take place at 12PM – 1PM followed by a procession and Interment at the Woodside Cemetery located on Chestnut Street, Oxford, Ohio.

A family and friends gathering will be at 2 PM to 3:30 PM at the Bethel AME Church, 14 South Beech Street, Oxford, Ohio.

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