Bill's first ride in an airplane was in June 1964 when he traveled from his hometown of Lewiston Maine to Colorado. He was in 17th Squadron for the first two years, then a year in 15th Squadron and he spent his First Class year in the new 27th Squadron in "new dorm" (Sijan Hall). Bill was a decent student - occasionally got on the Dean and Superintendent's list. His favorite sport was boxing and ended up with a record of 22 - 2. Without question the most monumental thing to happen while he was a cadet was going on a blind date in the Fall of his second class year. He met a junior from CSU by the name of Jody. Married after graduation, they embarked on a 57 year adventure which has included more than 30 moves

Following graduation, his 36-year career as an Air Force Officer is particularity distinguished. As is for all present and past Air Force officers that achieved flag rank, their biographies are online and Bill's is here. Bill flew twelve different types of US Air Force aircraft during his 25 assignments. Following UPT at Randolph AFB, Texas, Bill's first operational assignment was with the 20th Military Airlift Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware flying the C-141. Bill's operational journey had an interesting diversion with his next assignment to the Defense Language Institute in Washington DC as a French language student. Next was combat crew training at Hurlburt Field, Florida and then to Danang Air Base Viet Nam, flying the O-2A with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron. Since 1972 was a leap year, Bill spent the next 366 days flying more than 320 combat missions and more than 900 flying hours. During his operational assignments, he flew missions and was involved in the invasions of Granada, Panama as well as the first Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo.


His 21 assignments included command of a C-5 squadron and two military aircraft wings, the 436th and 60th. He was a military instructor and AOC of Cadet Squadron 20 at the Academy. Served on the headquarters staffs at HQ USAF, HQ U.S. Transportation Command, and HQ Air Mobility Command. Bill also served as Commander of the U.S. Air Mobility Warfare Center, Vice Commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Assistant Vice Chief of Staff HQ USAF. Along the way, his journey included attendance at six military and civilian schools, including earning a masters degree from the University of Colorado. After three years as Commander, Pacific Air Forces and Air Component Commander for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Bill retired on August 1, 2004 with the rank of general.

Back in CONUS, and relocating to Glastonbury CT, 2005 Bill joined Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT in 2005 as Vice President Military Business Development as well as running overhaul facilities in the CONUS and Overseas. Retiring in 2012, Bill and Jody moved to their current home, located on Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester, Maine about 12 miles from his hometown of Lewiston. He splits his time between Maine and Daytona Beach Florida. Bill has been a Trustee in the Falcon Foundation since 2005, and served as Chairman from 2019 to 2024.


Bill is married to the former Jody Feeley from Palos Park, IL. The Begerts have a son Bill a daughter Kary and two grand children.

The Class of 1968 is proud to announce that Bill was selected as one of the Association of Graduates, Distinguished Graduates for 2025. He will be honored along with Mr. Jerome "Jerry " Bruni, '70 at the Distinguished Graduate Dinner at the Academy on July 25, 2025. Reservations for the dinner will be open soon.

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Bill and Jody - Congratulations! - we're proud of you.

May 2025