"Bill" LaRock's military career started with the NY Guard in 1952 (E-3 Tank Gunner). He switched to AF in 1953, almost a Flight Engineer, he ended up in airborne radar (F-94, F-102). SSgt LaRock, EADF IG team member, condemned an ill-fated "Texas Tower." (Tom Clancy needs to get hold of this.) He joined Coca Flt in Sep 1960. On graduation, Lt LaRock was sent to Keesler. 1961-73, he served as a Communications Electronics Officer -- with TAC in a mobile AC&W Sq, then to Elmendorf (PMEL) and special "earthquake recovery" duties. From Alaska, Capt LaRock headed for Keesler, "...where I was reunited w/Ed Erxleben and Walt Lencki," Bill writes, "... disaster stuck...Ed Erxleben and I were sent to SAC!" -- the Operations Dir at Hq SAC. In 1970, Bill headed for U Tapao, Thailand (307SW) as a TacComm off/non-rated flying position. Bill crewed 140 flight missons and "...a ground mission in NVM...1 in Cambodia." From Thailand, Maj LaRock went to TAWC at Eglin. "I spent 3 years tearing around Europe and Africa (Mystic Mission)," Bill says, "When they assigned me to the Pentagon, I retired" in 1973, age 39. Bill opened a Mobil station in Orlando, FL and hired his three sons. "Rode the Disney Boom up. Opened a second (one), towing service and garage...heavily in 'do-gooder' work...Lions, JCs, Chamber of Commerce," he says. Went to work for Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo in 1978. A "fantastic job" but the tax collector was the only one getting rich. In 1980, at age 46, Bill had a heart attack. "...laying in intensive care, I decided there were things we hadn't done," he recalls. Thus started the romance with NASCAR, in 1984, putting together a team running Oldsmobiles w/Buddy Baker. Since 1986, he and Millie have been ranching, lately, just raising & selling hay. Millie and Bill have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 8 grandkids.

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Major William Louis La Rock, 77, of 9899 La Rock Lane, Oakboro, NC passed away on July 18, 2011 at his home.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Thursday, July 21 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The service will be held at 10 AM on Friday, July 22 at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church. Burial will follow the service at 1 PM at Salisbury National Cemetery. Father Peter Fitzgibbons will officiate the services.

Major La Rock was born in Ancon, Panama on May 20, 1934 to the late John Bernard La Rock and Anna Catherine Dove La Rock Hanes.

In 1973 he retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service. While in the Air Force, he toured in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star.

Major La Rock is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mildred “Millie” Ann Martin La Rock of the home; sons, Bill La Rock II of Oakboro, Tim La Rock of Wilkesboro, Mark La Rock of Oakboro; daughter, Christina Thompson of Oakboro; brothers, John La Rock, Harry La Rock, both of New York, Fran La Rock of Virgina; sister, Betty Johnson of Fayetteville; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.