Waldo W. Meyers

Meyers, Waldo Wentker September 5, 2010 Waldo was born on November 20, 1917 to Olive Smart Meyers and William F. Meyers in St. Charles, Missouri, the sixth of seven children: Odie, William Jr., Ruby, Zelma, Oliver, and Arthur. He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1936. His long and distinguished career in civil service began with employment in the depression era at a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp near Troy, Mo. As one of the few with a high school education, he was given the assignment of clerk with responsibility for tracking payroll/work records. While in the CCC Waldo met Evelyn Mae Heileman of Troy and began a courtship that resulted in their marriage on August 23, 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought service in the Army Air Corps and enrollment in Pilot's training. The training eventually resulted in his assignment as a radio operator in a flight crew of a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. He flew 32 ½ missions in the Southwest Pacific theatre including overflights of Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the atomic bomb blasts. As a result of having to bailing out over the Sulu Sea near the Philippine Islands, he became a member of the exclusive Caterpillar Club - an organization of those Air Corps crew members who owe their life to a parachute. Following peace in the Pacific, he began his civil service career anew at Scott Air Force Base near O'Fallon, Illinois. His ability to interface with people and the quality of his work led to regular advancements culminating with promotion to the Director of Procurement at the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (now called the National Imaging and Mapping Agency) in St. Louis, Mo., the position from which he retired in 1976. In 1970, he was named the Administrative and Technical civil service employee of the year representing over 4000 employees of the Defense Mapping Agency in the St. Louis area's civil service award program. Waldo joined Maplewood Baptist Church along with Evelyn in 1950 and was a dedicated and influential member and leader of the congregation for nearly 60 years. He served in numerous positions including leader of the Royal Ambassador boys' group, chairman of trustees, chairman of deacons, treasurer, and valued advisor to seven consecutive pastors. Waldo and Evelyn began their family with the arrival of their first child, Robert in 1946 followed by Donald in 1949 and Kim in 1957. Eight grandchildren (Michael, David, Timothy, Jenna, Kristin, and Robert, Jr. Meyers and Christopher and Jesse Brennan) and two great-grandchildren (Ethan and Patrick) have followed, memorializing the 63 year marriage of Waldo and Evelyn which ended with Evelyn's death on September 29, 2004. Adored by his family and admired by all who knew him, he was respected for his quiet common sense, wisdom, patience, and perseverance. With singular dedication to his wife, his family, his church, and his country, he was a man who stood as a model for anyone who strives to be a better person. Waldo Meyers left this world a better place for his time here. Funeral Fri. Sept. 10, 1:00pm at the JAY B. SMITH MAPLEWOOD CHAPEL 7456 Manchester; Interment National Cem; Visitation Thurs. 4 to 8pm Tributes at jaybsmith.com

Waldo W. Meyers

November 20, 2017 - September 5, 2010