Colonel Warren G. Botz, US Air Force, retired, 96, passed away at his Manheim Twp. home on Saturday, March 19, 2016. He was born in Lebanon to the late Tylon J. and Sallie V. (Peiffer) Botz. Warren's wife, Gladys B. (Jernberg) Botz, died in 2000 after 56 years of marriage.

A 1938 graduate of Lebanon High School, Warren earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He also graduated from Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology in Illinois.

Col. Botz served both actively in the US Air Force and the Air National Guard for a total of 37 years, including WWII and the Korean War. He served with Claire Chennault in China. An avid aviation enthusiast, Col. Botz accumulated over 30,000 flying hours.

In addition to his time as a professional military and commercial pilot, Warren worked for Woodstream Corporation for 20 years from 1960 to 1980. He was a member of numerous professional and community organizations.

Warren is survived by two sons, Brigadier General Ronald I. Botz, husband of Lynne of Springfield, IL and Roderick I. Botz, husband of Linda of Lansdale; two daughters, Sally L. Brubaker, wife of the late Walter H. Brubaker, III of Lewes, DE and Valerie A., wife of James E. Coxey of Lancaster; his companion Caroline E. Stover of Lebanon; five grandchildren: Kristen L. Botz, Kelli A. Pawlak, Ronald I. Botz, II, Leslie A. Coxey Walters and Paige A. Smith and 16 great-grandchildren. Six siblings and his grandson Roderick I. Botz, Jr. preceded Warren in death.

A graveside service with Military Honors will take place at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc., 1117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.