William Springer, golf enthusiast, WWII pilot, museum docent

William “Bill” Springer, a salesman, golfing enthusiast and World War II pilot,  died September 30.  He was 94 years old. A scratch golfer, he regularly shot his age well into his octogenarian years. His love of golfing won him several city championships and he was a member of Lakewood Country Club in Algiers, the club founded by a large number of Jews who had been excluded from membership at other clubs. While at Lakewood, Springer was chairman of the greens and managed the club for a decade. He also headed up the Greater New Orleans golf tournament during its early days on the PGA Tour.

Born and raised in Memphis, Springer attended Central High School there. When hostilities broke out in World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and qualified to become a pilot under the Army Air Corps program at age 24. Springer was a pilot of C-47 transport planes in the Southeast Pacific assigned to the Fifth Air Force Division. He regularly ferried troops and cargo to remote locations and even scouted for possible landing sites in the archipelago there.

Shortly before his assignment to the Pacific arena, Springer married his wife Katherine (née Goldberger) of blessed memory, with whom he lived for 63 years.  The Springers lived in Chatanooga, TN for several years before moving to New Orleans in 1961 to work as a salesman for Malcolm Woldenberg’s spirits distribution company.  Later, he was associated as a member of the Louisiana sales team for Speidel.

When Hurricane Katrina threatened the Springers, they made their way to Houston, only to have Hurricane Rita upend them again three weeks later. Bill stayed for seven months in Chatanooga during the recovery period from Hurricane Katrina. Eventually, the Springers stayed in the Miami area until Hurricane Wilma created problems for Katherine, who was by then confined to a nursing home. Devoted to his wife, Springer was remembered as a kind and considerate husband who doted on her until her passing.

In recent years Springer delighted in his work as a docent at the National World War II Museum.  He regularly parked himself in a chair underneath a C-47 transport plane similar to the craft he had piloted during the war and told students and guests about the harrowing exploits endured by he and his fellow pilots. He was often heard welcoming each group that came into the museum, thanking each one individually for coming. Springer was a member of Temple Sinai and noted for his jovial spirit and sense of humor.

Springer is survived by a sister, Eunice Springer, of New York, and by a niece Emily (Steve) Dropkin, and their two sons.

A memorial service was held on Friday October 19th at 11:00 AM at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Avenue. Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn officiated.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Temple Sinai, the National World War II Museum, or to a charity of your choice.