Obituaries

Colonel William E. Peterson, United States Army (Retired), 83, of Land O Lakes, Florida, died February 21, 2026, from injuries sustained in an accident. Born May 6, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio, he served 31 years in the United States Army in counterintelligence and human intelligence, with deployments to Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, and retired as a Colonel. 

He continued in senior intelligence roles with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Defense Intelligence Agency, including principal deputy for special operations at United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base. His decorations included the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal. Much of his work will never be described in public.

Survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Sandee; daughter Heather Weber and son-in-law Scott Weber; son Bill and daughter-in-law Charlene; grandson William; sister Ila; and brothers Dan and Scott. Graveside service with full military honors at 11 am Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Arlington National Cemetery. Reception following at Spates Conference Center, Fort Myer. Advance registration required for base access. Contact Storke Funeral Home, Bowling Green, Virginia, at 804-633-5661 for details.