COL. William (Bill) Louis Vinette, US Army (Ret.), age 87, of Carlisle, died Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Carlisle. He was born on May 14, 1922 in Syracuse, NY, the son of the late I. Louis Vinette and Valeria Dowling Vinette.

COL Vinette was a 1940 graduate of Eastwood High School in Syracuse and worked for the City of Syracuse from 1941-42 and 1945-47. He began his military career in 1942 and retired as Colonel in 1973. Colonel Vinette was awarded numerous military honors and medals including the Legion of Merit w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters, European Theater of Operations Medal w/9 Campaign Stars, Korean Service Medal w/2 Campaign Stars, Viet Nam Service Medal w/3 Campaign Stars, Presidential Unit Citation (WWII), WWII Victory Medal, US Army Reserve Medal for 30 years of service. He served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, as part of the U.S. forces in the Dominican Republic, and in Viet Nam, and retired from the Pentagon. Following retirement, he returned to the Pentagon, then worked at the U. S. Justice Department and then the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Colonel Vinette attended Syracuse University, Lemoyne College in Syracuse, University of Maryland, University of Texas and the US Army Command & General Staff College. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlisle and a life member of the Retired Officer's Association. He was a member of several other military associations, and a former member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of more than 60 years, M. Jane Vinette, two daughters; Patricia Veneziani of Senoia, GA, Mary Jane Vinette of Golden, CO, three sons; Michael J. Vinette of Atlanta, GA, William L. Vinette, Jr. of Strasburg and SFC (Ret) Thomas R. Vinette, USA of Mechanicsburg, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephew. He was preceded in death by three brothers; Thomas, Raymond and Edward Vinette.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdayin the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover Street, Carlisle with prayer service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2010, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 85 Marsh Dr., Carlisle, followed by burial with full military honors at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Carlisle. A reception will follow at the Monroe Twp. Fire Company, 25 Gathering Hall on Rt. 174 in Churchtown. Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament School, 3129 James St., Syracuse, NY 13206 or to the National Center for PTSD www.ptsd.va.gov .