OK Obits

© The Bakersfield Californian
Sunday, 12 June 2005
Submitted by: Sandi Carter

William H. "Bill" Lewis

March 3, 1930 ~ June 7, 2005

Bill Lewis, 75, died June 7, 2005. He was born on March 3, 1930, in Ryan, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his father, Arvil J. Lewis; and his mother, Nina Bomar.

Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dorothy; and children, Kathy, Glynn, Bonita, Mary, and Ken; brother, Wayne; grandchildren, Glynn Jr., Timothy, and Hannah Kathleen.

He began his career in Aviation at Wichita Falls High School, Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of 18 in 1948, and has been in the aviation industry for the last 55 years. He was employed by Docs Aero Repair, Wichita Falls, Texas, in February, 1950, where he received his Private Pilots License and his Airframe and Powerplant license.

He was part of the Nicaraguan Campaign in 1956, and he received his Inspection Authorization at Parkers Air Service in Port Arther, Texas, in 1958. He then moved to MTL Aviation in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1959.

In 1961, he moved his family to Bakersfield and worked for Garriott Crop Dusting until he started Aircraft Services at the Bakersfield Municipal Airport in 1970.

He semi-retired in 1984, but continued as a consultant to his son, Ken Lewis of K L Aviation, until his death.

Bill has provided the industry with solutions for many problems. He was instrumental in the invention of Little Giant Prop Seal, AG 100 Propeller, he played a key role in the Bakersfield Municipal Airport sale and expansion, and many more.

He was an Aviation Safety Inspector for the FAA and his level of professionalism has helped the industry maintain its impeccable safety record. He was also a member of the Quite Birdmen Organization.

His passing will be felt by everyone, and his years of service and countless contributions to the aviation community will be remembered by pilots, mechanics, and anyone in the aviation industry for many years to come.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 12, 2005, from 5 8 p.m. at Kern River Family Mortuary, 1900 North Chester Avenue, Bakersfield.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, June 13, 2005, at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, California.

Kern River Family Mortuary

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