Tuesday, May 25, 2021
I don't know if this will be read by family this long after Chief Chalifour's passing, but I wanted to express my condolences to Mary and the family. Chief Chalifour was one of my early supervisors in the Air Force Medical Service. I served as the NCO in the Administrative Services office of the USAF Hospital in Altus, OK 1969-72. Chief Chalifour made it possible for me to be responsible for my actions. He was a great boss and a true example of a career senior NCO. He was a Senior Master Sergeant at that time and he made Chief when he left for Bitburg Air Base, Germany. We served together for only a short time, but he left a lasting impression on me and helped me grow up. I eventually joined the Air Force Reserve and retired in 2004 as a Senior Master Sergeant. I have thought about Chief over the years and we corresponded in 2002. Lt Col Mary Chalifour was the Chief Nurse at the Altus hospital, and her office was next door. She was a great nurse and I enjoyed working with her. Mary, if you read this, I want you to know how influential Chief and you were in those early years of my Air Force career. May God's love, peace and comfort be with you and your family.
Bill Gravely