William Dayton Largent was born in Cumberland, Maryland on July 16, 1923 to the late Wilbur Ward Largent and Viola Streiby Largent.
In his early years William worked at Consolidated Aircraft Corporation where he obtained his Aircraft and Engine license. In 1944, he was accepted into the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet program. Although discharged from active military service at the end of WWII, he re-enlisted back into the Army Air Force shortly thereafter as a Master Sergeant. In 1949, he was appointed a warrant officer with specialty in aircraft maintenance and subsequently received a reserve commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1950. He saw action during the Korean Conflict in 1950-1951, and served in numerous assignments both in the US and abroad during his career. In 1957, after having completed both off-campus and residential studies he received his Associate of Arts degree from Modesto Junior College, Modesto, CA. William retired from the United States Air Force in 1965 at the rank of Major and settled in Fayetteville, NC with his family.
Following retirement William entered into the field of education, primarily preparing students for completion of their Aircraft and Propulsion Plants certification by the FAA. He taught both at Fayetteville Technical Institute and Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, NC until his retirement in 1976.
William was a 30 year member of the congregation of St. Luke United Methodist Church. He was a lifelong Mason and a member of the William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge No. 7 F.A.A.M., Washington D.C., and was locally active in the Wayne Lodge No. 112 AF & AM.
William was a very involved member of the Wayne County Amateur Radio Association. He passed away on December 31, 1998.