Joseph A. Castillo, 95, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, May 21, 2018 at Chaucer Estates in Wichita.

Born July 17, 1922 in Veracruz, Mexico, the son of Joseph A Castillo and Lela (Whitfield) Castillo. At six he was ill and sent to live with family in Spain. A year later he entered the United States and became a naturalized citizen. Later he joined his parents in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Maplewood Richmond Heights. From Dec. 1944 to Mar. 1945 he co-piloted 35 B-52 bombing missions over Germany and was honorably discharged from the US Army Air Corp as 2nd Lt. He was united in marriage to Dorsey (Bagby) Castillo for 70 years. He retired from McDonell Aircraft (Boeing) after nearly 30 years. He worked on both the Mercury and Gemini space programs and personally met all seven of the original astronauts.

His family includes a daughter (deceased), his son George Castillo and wife, Vicki, of Wichita, a son Joseph III, of Atlanta, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his wife.

Military Committal Honors will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Winfield. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.