Walter Ousley, Catholic Charities executive and Air Force One crew chief, dies at 81

Walter Ousley, a long-time executive at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former Air Force One crew chief, passed away at the age of 81. He died of natural causes on September 26 at a memory care community in Park Ridge, according to his son, Peter.

Ousley, who lived in Park Ridge for the past 30 years and previously resided in Calumet City, had been living with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in 1945 in Chicago and grew up on the South Side. After graduating from Tilden High School, he earned a degree in political science from the University of Maryland and later obtained a graduate degree from Roosevelt University.

Ousley enlisted in the Air Force in 1965, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. He served in Vietnam and later worked as a crew chief on Air Force One. He was awarded a presidential service award in 1971. Following the footsteps of his father-in-law, George Murphy, Ousley joined Catholic Charities after his military service, quickly advancing into management roles.

At Catholic Charities, Ousley managed government relations, food distribution programs, and initiatives that supported welfare clients in returning to work. He also led programs focused on addiction education and prevention. In 1991, he was promoted to director of operations, and in 2001, he became chief operating officer, navigating tight budgets and making tough decisions about program funding while working to boost fundraising efforts.

Ron Laurent, a Catholic Charities board member from 1971 until 2021, noted that Ousley’s progressive ideas and business-like approach helped expand the organization’s services to reach more people in need. “He really asked the best of himself and then he gave much more,” Laurent said.

Bill Darcy, a retired Catholic Charities executive who worked with Ousley from 1991 to 2010, described him as a steady and reliable leader. “There were issues every day, and Walter was an even-keel guy. I almost never saw him get flustered,” Darcy said. “He was a solid leader. He’d seen most everything in his 30-plus years.”

Ousley’s career at Catholic Charities reflected a commitment to serving the community with innovation and integrity, embodying the call to care for the vulnerable. Micah 6:8 reminds us that justice, mercy, and humble service are central to living out our faith.

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