HOUSTON, Texas––William B. Gandin, Sr., 88, a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II and the Korean War and a Scout leader, has been given the Silver Torch Award, a national award presented to persons who have served as a Scout leader in the UMC at a regional, national or international level.

A 53-year member of the Boy Scouts, Gandin has served as scouting coordinator for St Stephen’s UMC in Houston for six years and he has been the scoutmaster of the 150-member Troop 604. He also served for seven years as Cub master for the 197-member Pack 604 for St. Stephen’s. He led an effort to secure building materials for a 140’x 40’ Scout house. When the house was destroyed by a hurricane, he led an effort to rebuild it at no cost to the church.

In 1966 and 1997, he served as scouting coordinator for Libya, including the American Wheelis Air Force Base. He received a World Friendship Award from the Transatlantic Council BSA for leading the first American Boy Scout unit in Libya to speak conversational language of a foreign land, conduct a service project for the host country and provide an interchange of scouting camping skills between the two nations.

Following Air Force service in Libya and Rome, Gandin served in a variety of offices in the Sam Houston Area Council, including six years as a member and chair of the District Award of Merit Committee.

 A 56-year member of St. Stephen’s, Gandin has served almost every position in the congregation. He served as a trustee during the time the church built a new sanctuary and an educational wing. He served for five years as a member and chair of the Education Committee and 15 years a chair, co-chair or member of the Evangelism Committee. He has also chaired the Finance Committee where he served for 15 years and he was a member of the Pastor-Parish Relationship Committee for four years. He has also served on the Worship Committee, the Administrative Board, and he has served as head usher for 10 years. Gandin has represented the church as a member of the Texas Annual Conference for 40 years.

During World War II and the Korean War he had 1,500 flying hours as a lead navigator and bombardier. When former navigators were recalled to service during the Korean War, Gandin served as leader of a refresher school. He retired as Air Force colonel in 1975 with 33 years service. He is a life member of Air Force Association and Reserve Officers Association. He has been awarded four silver wings for completing extensive flying education and teaching service.

A graduate of the University of Houston (BBA in accounting), He also attended Rice University 1946-1949 in mechanical engineering. Gandin served for 41 years as an auditor for Exxon Mobile. Prior to that, he was head of the field audit in Alaska during the construction of the pipe line.

He has been married to Mildred for 67 years and the couple has three Eagle Scout sons with bronze, gold and silver palms awards.