William Scott Heim

William Scott Heim, of Hockessin, DE, passed away on February 13, 2022 at Christiana Hospital in Delaware, at the age of 97. A humble gentleman, Scott led a remarkable life, and was beloved and respected by family and friends alike. His military career spanned 31 years.

Born in 1924 in Wingham, Ontario, Canada, Scott attended school in Detroit, MI and College at Univ of Cincinnati, OH. Before he attended college, at the age of 18, he took the exam to get into the Army Air Corps (which became Army Air Forces in 1941 and the Air Force in 1947.)

As pilot, Scott trained in and flew the PT-19 and BT-14. Advanced training in the AT-6 enabled him to get his wings and commission, a brass bar as Second Lieutenant. From there he flew the Curtis P-40 and ultimately the P-51 Mustang the single engine, single seat, all metal fighter and ground attack aircraft. His unit was sent to Alsace-Lorraine, FR as a wingman for reconnaissance flights over Germany between the Rhine and Munich. As recon, he flew at 5,000 feet while the bombers were at 30,000 feet. Following the war, Scott stayed with the Reserves and attended college. He was then recalled and sent to Europe where he managed a Control Center during the Berlin Airlift, which provided food, water, fuel and medicine by parachute to the besieged city cut off by a Soviet blockade. Major Scott Heim played a key role in that endeavor. (In 2021, he flew in a biplane as a tribute to WWII veterans- a real thrill!)

Scott went on to a successful career with Suburban Propane followed by Delaware Valley Propane Company in NJ. He and his wife Lois (now deceased) raised their sons David Heim of Kunkletown, PA and Tom Heim (now deceased) and granddaughter Jacquie Williams (husband John) of Elizabethtown, KY. Scott was a loving and caring husband to Lois during their 57 years of marriage.
On Valentine’s Day, in 2009, Scott married Betty Beck-Heim (now deceased) after meeting years earlier at church in Wellsboro, PA. His family grew, as Betty’s children, Mike Beck (wife Carol) of Landenberg, PA, Cindy Eckbold (husband Mark) of Downingtown, PA and Steve Beck (wife Theresa) of Hardeeville, SC, became close to Scott and witnessed his unwavering devotion to Betty.

Scott enjoyed history, his cabin, fishing, boating, and connecting with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews and his brother Alan and sister-in-law Judy. In his later years, Scott loved to drive and explore new places, and to build and fly RC model airplanes. And his love of dessert and chocolate never waned.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Scott’s memory can be made to the charity of your choice. The family would like to extend thanks to the Staff and residents at Summit Senior Living in Hockessin, DE for their love and support for Scott and Betty for the past two years.