Samuel E. Brewer

Samuel E. Brewer, 85, of Waverly passed away on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at his home.

He was born March 29, 1936 in rural Pawnee, the son of Calvin and Helen Blakey Brewer.  He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Bill, Alvin, Glen, Al Lee and John; two sisters, Mary Howe and Fannie Hill; two daughters, Pamela Cooley and Lynne Johnson; and step-son, Richard Warren.

He married Nancy Warren on June 25, 1998 in Gulf Breeze, FL.

At the age of 17, Sam enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He took his basic training at Park AFB, California.  After that he took aircraft maintenance training at Sheppard AFB, Texas.  He became an aircraft flight engineer and instructor, and taught flight simulator to flight crews for many countries all over the world.

During his time in the military he had 9,000 hours flight time in the C-130 and AC-130 with many of the missions over Uban Thailand and Vietnam.  He flew out of Guam on air weather missions in typhoons for weather information.  He received 9 DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and numerous air medals.  His crew developed the method of seeded path of ice fog to allow hospital flights from Vietnam to land for refueling in Alaska on their way back to the states.  During his 20 years of service he advanced to the military rank of Master SGT.

Fed-Ex was getting started when Sam retired from the Air Force.  He became employee #404.  His job was Senior Mgr of aircraft maintenance.  He worked at the Memphis, TN location and also at the Indianapolis in location.  He retired after 25 years.

He has enjoyed his retirement by deep sea fishing when he lived in Navarre, FL., gardening, traveling, RVing, watching Fox News and visiting the casino.  He has a soft spot for dogs and cats.  Especially Felix his big yellow tom-cat.

But his greatest love was his love for his country and he was very proud to serve it.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy; two children, Michael Brewer and Gail (Perry) Edenburn; two step-children, Steven (Lorene) Warren and Dennis (Margaret) Warren; 14 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one sister, Alta Barlow; one brother, Howard; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at 10am, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield with the U.S. Air Force and Inter-Veterans burial detail of Sangamon County.

Memorials may be made to Waverly Rescue Squad or Sangamon County Animal Control.

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