Capt William H. “Pyro” DuBois, Jr. was born on August 14, 1984. Capt DuBois attended the University of Colorado Boulder on a full-ride Air Force Scholarship majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He graduated with honors in May 2008. Upon graduation he learned that he was accepted to ENJJPT (Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training) at Sheppard AFB, TX. Afterward and proceeded to F-16 training at Luke AFB, AZ upon graduation. There, he was twice named the top fighter pilot in his class and earned two Top Gun awards. He was also an F-16 instructor pilot, flight lead, and combat commander.
In 2011, he was assigned to Kunsan AB, Korea where he proudly flew for the 35th Fighter Squadron, known as the Pantons. Shortly after reporting, he earned the call sign “Pyro”. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ashley Jones. He soon returned to the States with his bride to be and was based at Shaw AFB, SC in the 77th Fighter Squadron, the Gamblers. Ashley and Will married just days before he was deployed to the Middle East. On December 1, 2014, Capt DuBois and his wingman took off from their base in the early morning hours. His wingman’s F-16 developed mechanical issues. True to his character and leadership, Will was escorting his wingman safely back to base, when his own jet went down. He was 30 years old. He is survived by his wife, Ashley; his father and mother, Ham and Donna; and his sister, Devon.
In 2011, he was assigned to Kunsan AB, Korea where he proudly flew for the 35th Fighter Squadron, known as the Pantons. Shortly after reporting, he earned the call sign “Pyro”. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ashley Jones. He soon returned to the States with his bride to be and was based at Shaw AFB, SC in the 77th Fighter Squadron, the Gamblers. Ashley and Will married just days before he was deployed to the Middle East. On December 1, 2014, Capt DuBois and his wingman took off from their base in the early morning hours. His wingman’s F-16 developed mechanical issues. True to his character and leadership, Will was escorting his wingman safely back to base, when his own jet went down. He was 30 years old. He is survived by his wife, Ashley; his father and mother, Ham and Donna; and his sister, Devon.