It is always a honor and privilege to feature the men and women who have bravely served, defending our country and our freedoms. Let us never take for granted their great sacrifice, and the sacrifices of those who gave all to keep this great nation free.
This month, we are featuring hometown veteran William (Bill) Coben. Coben and his wife Cassie (Wood) have been married for 25 years. Together they have two daughters, Amber Coben, who lives in California, and Danica Taylor, who lives in Mena with her husband Guy. Additionally, the couple have two grandsons, Gavin, 9, and James Lee, 2.
Coben, 58, graduated from Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, CA in 1979. He was in the Air Force from 1979-1983 and the Army National Guard from 1993-2009. He proudly served 19 years. During that time he was deployed overseas to Camp Taji Iraq from April 2004-April 2005. Coben said” I have no regrets about going to Iraq or being in the military and would gladly do it again if needed.“
In the Air Force Coben served as a jet mechanic airframe repair specialist. He began his career with the Army National Guard in Air Defense Artillery,
Following his discharge, Coben worked for three years at the Scott County Detention Center. Currently, he is a school bus driver and mechanic for the
We thank you Bill Coben for your years of military service and for the work you continue to do for your fellow veterans through Ouachita Mountain VFW Post 1345.
