Obit: Bill Boom, 100, of Greenwich

Via Strunk Funeral Home

Willem E. ("Bill"), of Vero Beach, FL and Greenwich, CT, died peacefully while reading his morning newspaper on August 19, 2016, 8 days after celebrating his 100th birthday with his family and friends.

Bill was born on August 11, 1916 in Montclair, New Jersey, the son of Andries A. Boom and Marie C. L. Gonggryp. He graduated from Swarthmore College (class of 1938) and shortly after America's entry into World War II, Bill obtained a commission in the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) and became a multi engine rated pilot.

He saw action in both the Pacific and European theaters of war; culminating with his appointment as the Air Attaché to the American Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands in May 1945. Bill was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force and held several executive positions with the Boeing-Vertol Company. He is best remembered for receiving permission to land in 1959 a Piasecki H-21 helicopter in the Vatican's San Damaso Courtyard and had it blessed by Pope John XXIII.

Subsequently, he became the European Director of the Budd Company in Paris, France, where he retired in 1985.His hobbies and interests were many and Bill was an avid world traveler. He and his wife Helen travelled throughout Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Bill was a legendary sportsman and skied until he was 76, ice skated until he was 82, flew until he was 85, sailed until he was 90 and rode a bicycle until he was 96.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Helen; children (Andrew and Jan Jacob); three grandchildren and seven step grandchildren.A Memorial Service was held in Vero Beach, FL on August 22, 2016 .In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the World Wildlife Fund or the Vero Beach Humane Society.Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.An online guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com