William Earl Cowell, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
February 24, 1931 – March 24, 2025

William “Skip” Cowell died on March 24, 2025. He passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, including his loyal dog, Lani.

Skip was born in Waipahu, where his father was an engineer at Oahu Sugar Company and his mother was a nurse. Skip observed the Pearl Harbor invasion, which directed his future career as an Air Force pilot. He attended Punahou, where he met his future wife, Rita Paris.

He grew up hunting and fishing and could repair anything you could imagine! Growing up as he did encouraged his lifetime love for the ʻāina and his ever-present Dobermans.
Upon graduation from Punahou, he attended California Polytechnic State University. He was accepted into the USAF Aviation Cadet Training program and earned his commission in 1954. Skip and Rita married in 1956. They were married 64 years when Rita passed away in 2020.

Skip had a distinguished 20-year Air Force career retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was fortunate to have flown his entire career. Aircraft included the H-21B, CH-3B, HH-3C, HH-53B and HH-53C. His numerous decorations include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, and three Air Medals. His first DFC was presented by President Lyndon Johnson after a heroic rescue of the POW to escape captivity. Another highlight was a 14-day mission to fly helicopters from NW Florida 9,000 miles to Viet Nam including a first ever transpacific crossing.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Skip became a fruit grower in Dryden Washington. In 1980, he and Rita moved to the Big Island, where he became a coffee and macadamia nut farmer. He possessed a deep curiosity that led him to develop methods of growing more hardy crops, which led him to produce prize winning coffee and modernize the Kona coffee industry. He eventually became the president of the Kona Coffee Council, where he served at the helm for many years. He also helped establish the Hawaii Coffee Association representing the coffee industry statewide.

In the early ‘80s, Skip and Rita founded West Hawaii Excavation, which was passed down to his son, Bob, now owned by Bob’s son, Hudson. Skip and Rita also established the Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystems Education (TREE) Foundation, which taught children about the importance of good land stewardship. TREE eventually created exchange programs with various Native American tribes in Arizona and Alaska. He served on the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District board for many years and later served as the president of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts advocating nationally for conservation programs in Hawaii, the western states, and Guam

Skip’s later years were devoted to several projects close to his heart. He became a gifted woodworker, creating beautiful wooden bowls and sculptures using mostly Hawaiian woods. He was instrumental in replanting sandalwood and Koa trees on the slopes of Mauna Loa.

Skip was one of the funniest men on the planet, always ready with a prank or a quip. He was infinitely positive, a trait he passed on to his children – and to all he met.

Skip is predeceased by his loving wife, Rita, his parents, Frederick and Rose, and his sister, Renee. He is fondly remembered by his daughter Cynthia (Cindy), his sons Frederick (Fred) and Robert (Bob), grandchildren Bryan, Paris, Whitney, Hudson, Caitlin, Rob, Grace, Juliette, Patrick and Elizabeth, and seven great-grandchildren. He is remembered by numerous nieces and nephews as the fun uncle. He was lovingly cared for in his final years by two of his grandchildren, Caitlin and Hudson. Also left to mourn his loss are his long-time caregivers, Michele, Masha, Pavlina and Cat.

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Skip served tours in the Vietnam War as a HH-3E “Jolly Green” pilot with Det. 5, 38th ARS/ARRS in the 1965-1966-time frame. During this tour he was the “Jolly Green” pilot that rescued escaped poisoner, Lt. (Jg.) Dieter Dengler, in Laos. Skip also served in the Vietnam War as a HH-53C “Jolly Green” pilot with the 40th ARRS in the 1970-time frame. From August 14 to August 1970, he was also a pilot of HH-53C #69-5788, one of two along with HH-53C #69-5787, that completed the 9,000 mile, first trans-Pacific crossing by helicopters, flying from Eglin AFB, FL. to Da Nang AB, RVN