Roll Call Tribute

William Kenneth "Ken" Fadal, Col. USAF (Ret) 

November 5, 1939 - March 12, 2025 

Colonel William Kenneth Fadal, longtime Wacoan, passed away peacefully March 12, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was affectionately referred to as “The Colonel” by friends and family. 

Ken was born on November 5, 1939, to Gabe and Teal Fadal, founding and devoted members of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Baptized there as a child, he later served as an acolyte throughout his youth. He graduated from Waco High School in 1957 and went on to Texas A&M University, where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets.

In 1961, upon graduating, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force. Over the course of his distinguished 28-year career, he served as Commander and Chief of Security Police at most of his assignments, including: Lackland AFB, Texas; Shaw AFB, SC; Kadena AFB, Okinawa; Security Police Academy, TX; Laredo AFB, Texas; Takhli RTAFB, Thailand; Holloman AFB, NM; Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone; Langley AFB, VA; Kelly AFB, Texas; and Kirkland AFB, NM. Under his command, he was most proud of the 355th Security Police Squadron earning Best Security Police Unit in the United States Air Force for 1979 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona and of his 1,500 troops at Clark Air Base, Philippines earning Best Security Group in the United States Air Force in 1985. His staff assignments include serving as Electronic Security Command Chief of Security Police and as the Chief of the Plans and Programs Divisions at both HQ Tactical Air Command and at the HQ U.S. Air Force Office of Security Police where he retired in 1989.

His service was recognized with numerous honors, but most notably include the Legion of Merit (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Air Force Commendation Medal (1 OLC), and the Supreme Command Master Badge from the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Following retirement, Ken returned to Waco, where he taught Police Science at McLennan Community College, served as Director of the General Practice Management Group in New Orleans, was an active member of the Waco Syrian-Lebanese Club, and served as Junior Warden at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. A lifelong Aggie, known for his maroon-and white spirit, he was a passionate supporter of Texas A&M football, an active recruiter for the A&M Corp of Cadets, and a former President of the Waco A&M Club.

After years of battling Polycystic Kidney Disease, he was blessed with a kidney donation from his cousin, Lisa Mesalam, of Indianapolis, granting him an additional 20 years of life with his family and friends. We will be forever grateful for her act of love.

Ken is preceded in death by his father and mother, Gabe and Teal, and his first wife, Dawna Smith. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sammie Fadal; his sister, Donna Marie Fadal; his children, Ken Fadal II, Michael Fadal, Koury Fadal and fiancé Blake Yowell; and his grandson William Yowell; as well as many cousins and loved ones.

Visitation and a memorial service will be held at Grace Gardens on Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. A funeral service will follow on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Waco, TX, with burial and full military honors at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation in his honor.  support.pkdcure.org/kenfadal