By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LOVELAND -William K. Klohe Sr., a decorated World War II veteran, loved his family and enjoyed helping them with yard work, home repairs and skinned knees.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Mr. Klohe was helping a daughter, Stephanie Brice of Loveland, do yard work when he suffered a heart attack and died. He was 79.

He was nicknamed "The Boss" by the family and answered to that name, said another daughter, Elaine Bradford of Loveland.

She said that while her father was proud of his military service and still had his uniforms, he was humble about the experience.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1923, Mr. Klohe enlisted in the Army Air Forces at age 19 and trained as a pilot. As a first lieutenant and one of the youngest pilots in the force, he soon found himself stationed with the 15th Air Force Division in Italy during World War II.

As a B-17 pilot, he flew 21 missions over Italy, Austria and Germany and received a number of medals, including four Battle Stars and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

He married Helen Watrin of Dayton in 1945, shortly before his honorable discharge.

Mr. Klohe attended the University of Cincinnati and studied electrical engineering. He worked as a designer for Shepard Elevator Co. and later at G.A. Gray Co. in Cincinnati, before joining General Electric Aircraft Engines in Evendale in 1965, where he worked as a drafting engineer in the jet engine division for 23 years.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Klohe loved to attend Reds games and tennis tournaments in Mason with his family. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to Europe and taking cruises.

This year, Mr. Klohe and his wife, longtime residents of Kenwood, moved to a condominium in Loveland.

He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Montgomery.

In addition to wife and daughters, survivors include a sister, Eileen Murray of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; two sons, William K. Jr. of Chalfont, Pa., and Paul Joseph of Mason; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Services have been held. Memorials: Jesuit International Missions, 2245 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati 45206.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com