Hundreds say goodbye to Air Force pilot in Rifle

Hundreds of people turned out to say goodbye to an Air Force pilot from Colorado who was killed on a deployment to fight Islamic State extremists.

Some residents and law enforcement officers stood on Interstate 70 overpasses waving flags as the procession carrying Capt. William DuBois’ casket traveled from Grand Junction to Rifle, Colorado for his funeral service Sunday. The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports that about 900 people, including Gov. John Hickenlooper, attended the funeral at Rifle High School, where DuBois graduated in 2003.

The newly married 30-year-old was assigned the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Besides winning “top gun” flying awards, Col. Paul Murray told mourners that DuBois had a “once in a generation” gift for leadership at a young age.