William Kenneth Jann Sr.

William Kenneth Jann, Sr., 99, of Florence, SC passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Mary Louise Gerhard and Gustav Albert Jann, Sr. He was a US Army Veteran and aeronautical engineering consultant. William (Bill) Kenneth Jann Sr’s life has been one of exceptional service and dedication to our country. At the age of nineteen, he joined the Army Air Corps and served as a flight engineer, completing thirty-three combat missions over Nazi Germany during World War II.

Following his military service, Mr. Jann earned an engineering degree and devoted twenty-three years to the development of the Pershing Missile, ultimately serving as Deputy Director of Industrial Operations. He also attained the rank of Colonel in the Corps of Engineers. William considered one of his greatest accomplishments was being part of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty at the end of Cold War. William retired from the Army Ballistic Missile Agency and consulted for 17 more years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Delva Jann; son, William Jann, Jr.; and brothers, Gustav Jann and Charles Jann.

Surviving are his son, Don Jann; daughter, Trish Cleveland (Eddie); daughter-in-law, Lori Jann; grandchildren, Carla Carroll (Bobby), Chris Jann (Lauren), Mike Jann, Siera Abbott (Boone), Dylon Cleveland, Casey Cleveland, and Lauren Blankenship; and great grandchildren, Carter, Brody and Alexa Jann.

The family will receive friends 9:00 – 9:30 AM Monday, July 14, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with the funeral service to follow at 9:30 AM. Burial will be at Florence National Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com