More detail on this person: Merritt Island - Edward Budd Venable of Merritt Island, pinned on his aviator wings to ascend to heaven for his eternal flight with the angels on December 8, 2020. He was born on December 6, 1946, in Niagara Falls, NY. He spent his early years in Colorado and Michigan where he was a 1965 graduate of Midland High School and from Michigan State University in 1969 with his BS Degree. He joined the US Army and earned his aviator wings at Fort Rucker, Alabama and was deployed to Viet Nam in 1971 as a helicopter pilot with Charlie Company, of the 227th, First Air Cavalry and the 60th AHC "Ghost Riders" Aviation Brigade. He attained the Rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. He flew 1500 combat hours, was shot down twice and saved many lives and was saved by his "Huey" and his crew. He was discharged in 1972 having earned the Army's Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star and other military decorations. It was said by a fellow pilot, "anyone who flew with Ed on a mission knew they were in the hands of a highly skilled aircraft commander and he never turned down a mission". He was also known by many as a "Man for others" and an "American Hero" as he helped other vets in numerous ways. Following his military service he earned his MBA from the University of Puget Sound in Washington State. He had a very successful career with Lockheed Aerospace in Marietta, GA. and Austin, Texas working on various "black programs" including the Stealth Fighter. His final assignment was at Kennedy Space Center with United Space Alliance supporting the Shuttle Program as a Management Systems Analyst and Staff member to the Launch Operations Director. He received recognition for his outstanding efforts on the investigation and recovery of the shuttle Columbia and Discovery's return to flight. Many of his friends, coworkers and fellow combat veterans knew him to be a very proud patriot who loved his family and his country without measure. Ed loved going to Walt Disney World, bass fishing on all the lakes and enjoying the various festivals at EPCOT. He was a fan of the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. He diligently went to Washington, D.C. to visit family and to pay his respects at the Viet Nam Wall where many of his comrades are memorialized and always left roses and a can of Busch Beer. For many years he attended the Florida Viet Nam and All Veteran's Reunions in Melbourne, FL where he could share his stories and memories with many of his fellow veterans. He is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 29 years, Bonnie Sayre Venable; his children from his first wife (Kathleen Tucci), Matthew Venable, Sara Reilly (Sean), and Amy Aylsworth; his grandchildren, Kiara Carrasco, Jack Isaac and Edward Ford Reilly. He is also survived by sisters; Sandy Grimes (Gary), Betsy Venable, Patsy Schierlmann and his nieces, Kelly Grimes Cooper (David), and Tracy Grimes Hobiena (Michael) and their children, Miles, Devin, Ethan and Lila Grace. He was predeceased by his parents, Isaac Budd and Mary Twitty Venable and his brother-in-law John Schierlmann. In 2021, a memorial service will be held on Merritt Island (date and time TBD) and he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Island Cremations of Merritt Island, FL is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in his name can be made to the Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island, FL., the National Museum of the US Army, or to a military charity of your choosing. Fly high with the Eagles and Soar CWO2 Edward.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 12/18/2020
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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