Chief Master Sergeant William D. Forbus: A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Investment in Tomorrow’s Air Force

Chief Master Sergeant William D. “Bill” Forbus, USAF, has always believed in the power of investing in people. Now, through his newly established scholarship at Mississippi State University, his legacy will continue to shape the next generation of Air Force leaders. His life has been devoted to service, leadership, and the development of others, and now that legacy is set to continue.

Working with his son, Brian Forbus, who served as liaison in establishing this gift, Chief Forbus made clear his desire to give back to the state and university. He sought to uplift Mississippi students who share his love for service and demonstrate the potential to lead.

“We were raised, not necessarily strictly, but firmly,” Brian said. “We always had rules and boundaries. Dad enlisted in the Air Force out of high school and eventually worked his way up to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant which, as an enlisted military person, is as high a rank as you can get.”

Originally from Amory, Mississippi, Chief Forbus dedicated 27 years of service to the United States Air Force. His military career spanned the globe from posts in Bonn, Germany, to Canberra, Australia, and Osan, Korea. Stateside, Chief Forbus served in key roles at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., and later at Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he eventually retired. But even after concluding his active-duty service, his commitment to mentorship and education just grew stronger.

“Dad was brought up the right way,” Brian said. “His life was hard in the beginning, too. He worked on the farm, shelled peas and milked cows. He came up the right way in those days, but the military gave him a little bit more of those boundaries and hard work. Discipline was always very big for him, and it worked out well for us.”

Following retirement, Chief Forbus became an Aerospace Science Instructor in the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach. There, he brought the same spirit of service and excellence into the classroom. He inspired young students to aim higher and serve with honor.

Dad was someone those kids truly admired,” Brian said. “He didn’t just demand respect, he earned it. He cared about the little things that shaped character, like making sure your shirt was tucked in, your shoes were polished, and your teeth were brushed. He led by example and left a lasting impression.”

The Chief Master Sergeant William D. Forbus Endowed Scholarship is designed to support Air Force ROTC cadets at Mississippi State University. Candidate preference will go to students from Mississippi who maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher, students who embody the commitment to discipline, academic excellence, and service that marked Chief Forbus’s own career.

“Dad knows what it’s like to grow up facing hardships, and he understands everyone needs a little help at some point,” Brian said. “He’s always been someone who genuinely wants to guide young people to help them do the right thing, become good people, become leaders, and pursue an education.”

Though his service took him far from home, his heart remained tied to the state and university that helped shape his foundation.

“I believe everyone has a desire to give back,” Brian said. “It stems from recognizing the impact others have had on your life and the journey that brought you to where you are. I truly think it is the simple moments like gathering around the television or spending Saturdays at baseball or football games that shape that sense of gratitude. My dad experienced that kind of joy and connection to MSU from a young age, and he carried it with him, wanting to pass it on to future generations. This scholarship is more than an investment in education. It is a symbol of homecoming and a lasting bond between a Bulldog and the place he never forgot.”