Henry "Hank" William Viehmann, Jr.

Henry William “Hank” Viehmann, Jr., age 86, a resident of Seashore Highlands Retirement Home, Gulfport, MS, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Hank was born on January 1, 1937, to Henry William, Sr. and Opal Marguerite (Scheidt) Viehmann in Overland, MO. He grew up in Saint Louis County, MO; graduated from Ladue High School in 1954 and Washington University in St. Louis in 1958.  At Washington University, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

He was called to active duty in October 1958; in 1962 he was selected for the Regular U.S Air Force.  During his twenty year Air Force career, he served as:  a Navigator, Electronic Warfare Officer, Senior Pilot, and Missile Combat Crew Commander.  He retired in November 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

During the Vietnam War, he served as a FC-135 pilot (air refueling tanker) during three extended deployments to Southeast Asia.  His Air Force awards include:  the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), the Air Medal with 3 OLC, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 OLC, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars (BSS), the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 OLC and the Combat Readiness Medal.

Hank married Carlyn Joyce Strong King in 1960.  During the next 55 years, he considered Carlyn Joyce as his reason for living; he was a devoted father to Thomas Allen King, his stepson, and a loyal grandfather to Tommy, Brian and Kelly.

Hank became a Master Mason in 1976 in Omaha, NE; he was a member of the Southern Star Lodge #500 in Long Beach, MS; he was also a 32^nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.  He retired in Long Beach, MS in 1998 where he joined the First United Methodist Church.  He was an Adult Sunday School Teacher for 15 years and served on various Administrative Board Committees in the church.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Opal Marguerite Viehmann and Henry William Viehmann, Sr.; his wife, Carlyn Joyce Viehmann; his two sisters, Joyce Emily Ricohermoso and Mary Opal Viehmann, grandson, Brian Joseph King; sisters-in-law, Doris Merle Steffen and Lois Lavelle Conn and his stepson, Thomas Allen King.

He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Kathy Ann King; his grandson, Thomas Allen King, Jr.; his granddaughter, Kelly Dawn King; eight great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Dr. Alfonso Z. Ricohermoso and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 17, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, 208 Pine Street, Long Beach, MS from 8:00am until funeral service at 9:30am.  Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi, MS.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are requested to the First United Methodist Church Permanent Endowment Fund, PO Box 375, Long Beach, MS 39560-6041, or to the charity of your choice.