WILLIAM T. MISSIEWICZ

     CW3, William T. Missiewicz, 44, of Leicester, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Friday, November 21, 2014 after his battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his mother, Nora (Reidy) Missiewicz. He also leaves his brother, John M. Missiewicz and his wife Sharon of Leicester and two nephews, Thomas and John Missiewicz. He is predeceased by his father, John Missiewicz.

Born in Worcester, William was a Chief Warrant Officer Three in the United States Army Reserves. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Westfield State University. Bill served as an operating room Specialist until 1998 at Walter Reed Hospital. In 1999, he entered into the 325th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He was honored as a 2000-Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for the 325th. In 2001, he deployed to Kosovo in support of NATO peace forces. He later deployed to Iraq in 2004 for Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Combat Action Badge for his actions. He redeployed to Iraq in January 2003 assigned to the Joint Interagency Task Force south. With this he was exposed to aviation and in 2006 joined the 3d Battalion, 126th Aviation, Massachusetts Army National Guard and attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and the United Sates Army Flight School at Fort Rucker, AL. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation, Rhode Island, he again was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait as a tactical operations officer. In December 2012 CW2 Missiewicz was one of the last soldiers to leave Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. During the deployment he also supported aviation operations in Jordan. He combined his personnel recovery and SERE training with his counter intelligence experience to develop the Tactical Operations Program in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, and 126th Aviation to what it is today. He is the recipient of the numerous awards and decorations including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leave clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge and recently the Order of St. Michael.

As a civilian, Bill’s passion was buying and refurbishing antique cars. He was fond of the outdoors especially birds and all animals. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the physicians and nurses at MGH Oncology, the Overlook Hospice staff, the Reidy families and Traci Holm for their kindness and support, as well as, his brothers at Aviator Mission Survivability for Company A, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2014 from HENRY – DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St. Burial with full military honors will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours in the funeral home will be on Friday, November 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St., Worcester, MA 01610 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.