26th Annual Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award
By Gaye Shaw, Executive Director
The Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce proudly announces Col William W. Lytle, Jr. USAF (Ret) as the 26th Annual Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award Recipient.
There were eight very deserving persons nominated for this year’s award and it was a very difficult choice for the committee of twelve to select just one. The nominees included Shane Chambers, Terry Edwards, Rhonda Glass, Chris Huffman, Bill Lytle, Allene Miller, Janey Miller, and Carol Perkins.
Bill Lytle and his wife, Myra moved to Metcalfe County in 1998, and since that time has been very involved in the community.
Bill’s accomplishments include:
1959 – Enlisted in the US Air Force, training as a Pilot Aviation Cadet, at age 19
1960 – Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with pilot wings
1960 – 1972 – Flew KC/EC-135’s (Barksdale AFB, LA and Ellsworth AFB, SD). Flew over 850 combat flight hours in South East Asia (SEA)
1973 – Assigned to Korat Royal Thailand Air Base, flying EB-66 in support of SEA operations
1974 – 1981: Assigned to Andrews AFB, MD flying the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP), E-4A/B aircraft (modified Boeing 747) providing nuclear execution options to the President
1979 – Selected as Squadron Commander, 1st Airborne Command & Control Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE
1981 – Promoted to Colonel;
1981 – 1984: Assigned as Command and Control Division Chief, Combined Forces Command (CFC), Yongsan, Seoul, Korea. Responsibilities included monitoring North Korean threat activity, providing communications/war plan execution capability to CFC Commander, and supporting United Nations Command inspection requirements;
1984 – 1987: Assigned to the US European Command (EUCOM), Stuttgart GE, as EUCOM Command and Control, Division Chief. Responsible to EUCOM/Supreme Allied Commander Europe, for the capability to execute nuclear war orders, security of nuclear weapons in theater, and maintaining secure communications with strategic/tactical command centers. Also responsible for HQ/VIP theater (Europe, West Mediterranean, and North Africa) transportation with a fleet of 3 C-21s (Lear jets) 2 C-12s, and 4 Huey helicopters;
1987 – 1988: Assigned to the Strategic Air Command’s underground Command Center, Offutt AFB, Omaha NE, as deputy commander
Retired 1 July 1988.
Service awards include the Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit; 1989 – 1996: Contracted with Chrysler Technologies/Veda Corporation in southern MD, to pilot the Navy Convair 880, supporting Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Force Warfare Center, in the development of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile, E/F-18 fighter aircraft, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions.
Since moving to Metcalfe County Bill’s involvement includes Edmonton-Metcalfe County Leadership Course-Participant 2003; Metcalfe County-Edmonton Chamber of Commerce- Board of Directors 2004-2006; University of Kentucky, Community and Leadership Program-completed program that is designed to develop local entrepreneurial coaches to support county entrepreneurial programs; Military Officers Association of America-Member and past President of the Cumberland Trace Chapter (Bowling Green). As President, sponsored development of a Bowling Green South Central KY area veteran’s nursing home. The effort is ongoing with a projected groundbreaking in FY 2021.
American Legion Post 65 2013 – 2017 Vice Commander; South Central KY Veterans Council 2013 – 2017 Treasurer; Edmonton-Metcalfe Industrial Authority Board – May 2016. Board Chairperson April 2018 – April 2019; KY Vet Jam Festival in June 2018 where he was honored as one of 15 outstanding veterans from South Central KY.
Bill is currently Military Officers Association of America-Newsletter editor, Cumberland Trace Chapter; Kentucky Colonels Member; Metcalfe County Extension Office Board of Directors Member. Precentor at 4-H annual American Private Enterprise System program for high school students; VFW Post 6281 Commander, (past chaplain); Edmonton United Methodist Church Lay leader/Sunday School teacher; Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame nominated and accepted 2020; Bowling Park Bingo coordinator and worker for the VFW and American Legion sessions; American Flags Around the Square-Putting up and taking down of American Flags around the square; Veterans Day Essay Contest – Gathers submissions and judge for awards at Veterans Day Ceremony; Volunteers to take veterans to medical appointments if they have no other means available; Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremony Coordinator-assists in the coordination of these ceremonies that are typically held on the square; Quilts for Veteran’s– assist in the coordination, submission, selection for recipients.
After moving to Metcalfe County in 1998, Bill has immersed himself in the betterment of the community. This has been through his involvement in the American Legion, VFW, Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton United Methodist Church, and various other community organizations.
After spending a career in the military serving our country, Bill decided to spend his retirement serving Metcalfe County and veterans. He utilizes his skills and experience from the military to bring order and efficiency to any project he undertakes or is a participant in. He is always willing to provide a helping hand or assistance where needed.
Since moving to Metcalfe County, Bill has poured his heart and soul into being a participant in making Metcalfe County a better place to live, work, and call home.
