Former astronaut Retired Maj. Gen. William “Bill” Anders, an Air Force pilot with connections to Bellingham, died in a plane crash in the waters around the San Juan Islands on Friday. His son, Greg Anders, of Bellingham, confirmed his father’s death to The Associated Press.

Former NASA Astronaut William "Bill" Anders was flying the plane that crashed in the waters of the San Juan Islands on Friday, his son, Greg, confirmed with KING 5. Greg Anders confirmed to KING 5 his father's body was recovered Friday afternoon.

The former Apollo 8 astronaut took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968

Former American astronaut William Anders, who was a member of the Apollo 8 crew, has been identified as the pilot inside the plane that crashed on Friday afternoon.

Retired Maj. Gen. William “Bill” Anders was killed in a plane crash near the coast of Jones Island in San Juan County Friday morning, his son confirmed.

The victim of a plan crash in waters near the San Juan Islands Friday has been identified as Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders.

Retired Maj. Gen. and Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands. He was 90. The former astronaut’s son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press.