Chopper Tragedy Hits Home For Sarasota Father Of SEAL Killed In Crash

Posted Aug 13, 2011 by Howard Altman

Updated Aug 13, 2011 at 04:43 PM

I was on vacation when the Department of Defense released the names of those killed about the Chinook helicopter in Wardak.

News of that crash, which killed 30 U.S. service members, was particularly personal for Scott Bill, a Sarasota contractor, whose son, Brian Bill, was among those killed. I tried reaching Mr. Bill, as we try to do with all families of fallen military with local connections killed, but in the meantime, here’s the story TBO.com posted:

The Sarasota father of a Navy SEAL killed in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan over the weekend is traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to attend services for his son, published reports said.

Scott Bill, who owns a building and remodeling business in Sarasota, is mourning his 31-year-old son, Brian, who grew up in Stamford, Conn., and was among the 30 Americans and eight Afghans killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Kabul. Twenty-two Navy SEALs died in the attack.

According to the Stamford Advocate, Brian Bill graduated from Stamford’s Trinity Catholic High School in 1997 and attended Norwich University in Vermont before joining the Navy.

Scott Bill and Brian’s mother and stepfather, Patricia and Michael Parry, who live in Stamford, issued a written statement:

“We are heartbroken in our loss,” they said. “Brian was a remarkably gifted, thoughtful and compassionate young man. We are incredibly proud of him. He was a treasured son, grandson, brother, uncle and cousin. He loved life. He loved a challenge. And he was passionate about being a SEAL.”

Brian Bill, who would have turned 32 on Aug. 23, wanted to attend graduate school and become an astronaut after completing his military service, the statement said.

He is also survived by four siblings.

“There is no question that Brian always believed strongly in God, his family and his country and always put them first before anything else,” his family said.

The bodies of Bill and the other Americans killed arrived Tuesday at Dover Air Force Base.

“We thank all the SEALS who have given their lives this week and share our sorrow with the families of those dedicated men who fought for our safety and freedom,” the family said. “We will remember them all with love and gratitude.”

Andrea Smith, a longtime family friend who lives in Sarasota, said Bill lived a full life.

“He just was one of those phenomenal young men that we have that protect us day and night and we should be so thankful that they’re out there,” she said.

His family was extremely proud of him and his career with the Navy, she said.

Bill reportedly will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.