USMC Col. (Retired) William Frank Percival, of Slidell La., died on Saturday October 17, 2026, at Slidell Memorial Hospital. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama to Milton J. and Patsy Eads Percival but grew up in Grenada, Mississippi. Graduating from John Rundle High School in 1958.

He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1962 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree. Given his Mississippi State roots, he was a die-hard Rebels fan and always enjoyed football season, especially watching Ole Miss beat LSU.

With a deep sense of duty, honor, and patriotism, he dedicated much of his life to serving his country. His military service began with the Mississippi National Guard in 1956. In 1961, he was selected to attend the U.S. Army Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve and Mississippi National Guard. He was selected for flight training in July 1965. After being designated an Army Aviator in 1966, he was flight instructor at U.S. Army Rotary Wing Flight School, Fort Wolters, Texas. He was granted an in-service transfer to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in the rank of First Lieutenant and designated a Naval Aviator in November 1966.

He served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, where he served as a helicopter pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron, HML 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing. He flew helicopter gunships on combat missions and providing vital support to troops on the ground. His courage and valor were recognized with the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” for Valor, as well as two Single Mission Air Medals recognizing his acts of heroism. The Air Medal with gold numeral “1” and 21 Strikeflight Awards. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal with five service stars in recognition of his service during the war.

He later served as Commanding Officer of Marine Corps squadron HML-367 at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, for four years. Then Serving as Executive Officers of Marine Air Group 39 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force before retiring honorably from military service. His unwavering commitment to his fellow Marines reflected the values he carried throughout his distinguished military career. He culminating had an impressive 21-year career in the United States Marine Corps, before finally retiring in 1988.

Following his retirement, he moved to Florida and eventually settled in Slidell, Louisiana, where he made his home for the past 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Glenda, and his only sister, Sandra “Sandy” Sowell of Grenada, Mississippi. Sandy’s husband, Ernie, survives her.

He is survived by his only son, Thomas Percival, and daughter-in-law, Angela, and his grandsons, Brian, Ethan, Sam, and Drew, all of Benicia, California. He is also survived by his two nephews, John David and Ernie “Bubba,” and his niece, Michelle all of Hernando, Mississippi the children of his late sister, Sandy. Additionally, he is survived by his stepdaughter, Kelly Lopez, her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Ashley; his step-granddaughter, Tiffany Gilley; and his step-great-grandsons, Aiden, Jaxson, and Austin, all residing in Slidell.

During the last two years of his life, he enjoyed living at Summerfield Senior Living, where he participated in social activities, built friendships with fellow residents, and enjoyed sharing stories and memories of his years of military service. These connections and conversations brought him companionship and opportunities to reflect on a lifetime of service and experiences.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd. West in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Slidell, La. on Monday, October 26th at 11am with visitation from 10am – 11am.

Semper Fidelis