Billy Dean Pottorff

Billy Dean Pottorff of Louisburg, Ks. passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 18, 2012 of heart failure. Billy was born in Paola, Kansas on July 5, 1951. Billy was the son of Thomas William "Bill" Pottorff and Alberta Maynard-Whitaker and stepfather, Clarence Whitaker of Louisburg, Kansas. Billy was a life-long resident of Louisburg, where he grew up and graduated from Louisburg High School in 1969. At the young age of 17, Billy Dean Pottorff did not wait to be drafted. On December 31, 1968 he volunteered for the United States Army. On January 5, 1969, Billy arrived in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. where he completed his basis training before proceeding to Ft. Rucker, Alabama for his Advanced training. Billy received his Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) of 67N2F UH1-Helicopter Repairer. He was first deployed on his first tour to Vietnam on October 10, 1969, where he proudly and courageously served his country, until the helicopter he was aboard crashed on April 26, 1970. Billy suffered burns and wounds to over 25% of his body. After about a year"s recovery State-side, he was released for duty. By June 8, 1971, Billy prepared to ship out to Viet Nam for his second tour-of-duty, where he, once again, heroically served his country. During his two tours, Billy served as Door Gunner, proceeding to Maintenance Repairer before his advancement to Crew Chief. Billy flew on over twenty-five (25) Aerial Assault Missions while serving in the 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, known as: "The Copperheads." The performance of a Crew Chief and Maintenance personnel was summed up by one General this way: "The superior performance did not stop with the pilots. The Maintainers achieved the miraculous....the Crew Chiefs flew all day and worked on their "Birds" all night. The scene around any Maintenance Detachment, when the "Birds" staggered home in the evenings, was a sight to behold. The Maintenance Crews rolled out, turned on the lights, worked with flashlights, worked by feel, worked any way possible. They worked in the rain, in high winds, and in dust storms. They worked all night long if necessary, to patch their aircraft, pull the required inspections, correct deficiencies and get then back on the line by the break on dawn. Night test-flights, prohibited in Peacetime, were "The Rule" rather than the exception. Billy was awarded two (2) Purple Hearts and numerous "Awards of The Air Medal" for his distinguished service and heroism to his country. Billy Dean Pottorff served in Viet-Nam from 1969-1972. After Billy"s two (2) tours in Viet-Nam, he enlisted into the Kansas National Army Guard. While serving with the 1/127th Alpha Battery, Billy reached the rank of E-6 (Staff Sargent), completing his 12 years of military service. Twelve years after Billy"s distinguished and honorable service to his country, his heart led him into what became his life-long mission ....the mission to save the "Siberian Tiger." During Billy"s tours in Viet-Nam, he witnessed the decimation of these beautiful cats. The compassion he felt for these endangered tigers led to his founding of the "Cedar Cove Feline Conservation Park." For twenty-eight (28) years, his determination to educate the public about the plight of all endangered or threatened felines, is deeply imprinted within the hearts of all who are and are "yet-to-be" champions for "The Friends Of Cedar Cove." And to that, I can only say, "Mission Accomplished, Cat-Man!" Close your eyes and listen to the true and faithful sound of these words and then harbor them in your heart from this day on....for the meaning of each word ever spoken could be defined by Mr. Webster as simply this: "Billy Dean Pottorff, a native-son of "P.D. Hill" and a prolific menagerie of talent. Now, close your eyes and listen............ Honorable, Soldier, Pilot, Perserverance, Character, Conservationist, Poet, Mischief-Maker, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Uncle, Cousin, Friend. The list of words are endless, but let"s close with a record-breaking, compound-word: "Incredibly-Amazing-Singer-Songwriter-Drummer-Harmonist-Banjo-er, Guitarist, Self-taught, Natural-born Musician. Billy, somewhere upon an angel"s wing- we know you are up there "Hank Snowin" It!" Billy was proceeded in death by his son, Jesse William Pottorff on Feb. 5, 2012 and his father, Thomas William "Bill" Pottorff in June 1989. Survivors include his mother and step-father Alberta and Clarence Whitaker of Louisburg, Kansas. Son, Billy DWayne Pottorff of Ada, Ok. and his wife, Tonya. Two sisters, Dixie Jennings and her husband, Shawn Hereford of Montgomery, Tx. Rebecca Shaffer and her husband, Jeff of Louisburg, Kansas. Three grandchildren, Tanner of Stevensville, Tx., Cheyenne, of Paola, Ks. and Wyatt, of Newton, Kansas. Three nephews, Shane Jennings of Montgomery, Tx., Ryan Shaffer and Andrew Shaffer of Louisburg, Ks. Two nieces, Harmony Harts of Pratt, Kansas and Merabeth Goff of Montgomery, Tx. Former wife and loving friend, Christine Watrous-Pottorff of Louisburg, Kansas. Billy will also be missed by numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and many other relatives and friends. And especially missed by his beloved "Big Cats." The family suggests contributions to the Cedar Cove Feline Conservation Park. Louisburg United Methodist Church 249 N. Metcalf Louisburg, KS 66053 Service: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 11:00 AM Visitation: Monday, April 23, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM