Dubois, 30, died when his aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff while heading out on a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the military's battle against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria. Dubois, of New Castle, Colorado, was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
From CU, AFROTC Det 105:
Capt William H. “Pyro” DuBois, Jr. was born on 14 Aug 1984 to William “Ham” and Donna DuBois in Rifle, Colorado. Harassing his sister and sports were two of his favorite things.
Basketball, soccer, baseball, and swimming filled his summers. He also evented horses and even competed in the North American Young Riders Championship. While attending Rifle High School, Will was involved in choir, soccer, track, school plays, the National Honor Society, and was elected Senior class president. Will was exceptionally accomplished in many ways, at an early age.
Capt DuBois attended the University of Colorado Boulder on a full-ride Air Force Scholarship, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He graduated with honors in May 2008 and was also the Distinguished Graduate in his commissioning class from the 105th AFROTC Detachment. Although Will was dedicated to academics, leadership, and becoming an outstanding Air Force officer, he also found time to join the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Upon graduation he learned that he was accepted to the elite pilot training program, ENJJPT (Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training) at Sheppard AFB, TX. Afterward, he proceeded to F-16 training at Luke AFB, AZ. There, he was twice named the top fighter pilot in his class and earned two Top Gun awards. He was also an F-16 instructor pilot, flight lead, and combat commander. “That kind of officership at that young age is extremely rare,” said Col Paul Murray, 20th Operations Group Commander at Shaw AFB.
In 2011, he was assigned to Kunsan AB, Korea where he proudly flew for the 35th Fighter Squadron, known as the Pantons. Shortly after reporting, he earned the call sign “Pyro”. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ashley Jones. He soon returned to the States with his bride to be and was based at Shaw AFB, SC in the 77th Fighter Squadron, the Gamblers. Ashley and Will married just days before he was deployed to the Middle East. On 1 Dec 2014, Capt DuBois and his wingman took off from their base in the early morning hours. His wingman’s F-16 developed mechanical issues. True to his character and leadership, Will was escorting his wingman safely back to base, when his own jet went down. He was 30 years old.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Ashley; his father and mother, Ham and Donna; his sister, Devon; his young nephew, Karsen; his adorable lab puppy, Delta; and hundreds of friends.
Every spring semester, Det 105 cadets are able to compete for the Pyro Wings Scholarship in honor of Captain DuBois.