Chuck Billman took off on his final mission on 15 March 2013, having fought a valiant, but blissfully brief battle with brain cancer. Chuck joined up in heavenly formation with his eldest son Garry, and fortunately, his own bed at home was his runway. His takeoff was peaceful and quick.
Chuck was born to Katharine Rutherford Billman and Charles Myers Billman. He graduated from Miami of Ohio University and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, as is his youngest grandson. From an early age, Chuck was infatuated by aviation, a trait he passed along to his two sons. After commissioning via Air Force ROTC at Miami, he went on to a long and distinguished career as a fighter pilot. He flew many airplanes in his Air Force career, including the T-33 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, T-39 Sabreliner and the OV-10 Bronco, but his favorite was the airplane he logged his most hours in and that he flew in combat in Southeast Asia, the F-100 Super Sabre. Among his many decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals.
After retiring from the USAF, Chuck joined some fighter pilot buddies as an airline pilot flying Grumman Goose and Mallard seaplanes for Antilles Air Boats, based on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He eventually became the airline's Chief Pilot. This was the start of many wonderful years for the Billman family in the Islands. After a short break on the mainland flying for Allegheny Airlines' commuter in Illinois, Chuck and his loving wife Pat returned to their cherished island of St. Croix where he became Chief Pilot and Vice President of Operations with Coral Air. Chuck then joined with two friends to start their own airline, Sunaire. As the COO, Chuck grew the airline's operations to one of the largest airlines in the Caribbean, becoming Eastern Airline's inter-island commuter, Eastern Metro Express. He steered the airline through many turbulent times, including Hurricane Hugo's devastating blow to St. Croix. Chuck and his partners eventually sold their airline to a large stateside company, and he and Pat left their island home to be closer to their now growing list of grandchildren.
In retirement, Chuck and Pat moved to Amarillo, Texas to be close to his aging parents, sister and her family, as well as Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Pat's hometown, before alighting in Florida. Throughout these years, Chuck followed his second favorite hobby, finances, and found a new favorite hobby, Grandpa. He had always been an avid stock market player, and took keen interest in income tax work. He joined H&R Block as a tax preparer as well as an instructor. As he entered full retirement, he kept his hand in taxes as the family's tax man. From the moment his first grandchild was born, their grandchildren became integral players in Chuck's and Pat's lives. In fact, Chuck and Pat pulled up stakes in the middle of retirement to travel west to Colorado to help their youngest son, take care of his 3 year old daughter, while his wife finished her final semester of nursing school and his son was working long hours as a speech writer for a 4-star general (who coincidentally has been an F-100 student of Chuck's many years before). Such typical dedication to his family marked Chuck's entire life. He has left an indelible impact of love, dedication, and discipline on his children and grandchildren that will live for many more generations.
Chuck is survived by his devoted wife Pat, one son and his wife, and 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, and his daughter-in-law, (widow of his oldest son Garry, who predeceased Chuck by 6 years). Also surviving Chuck is his son surrogate, and about-to-be-grandson-in-law
Chuck was the president at the first airline where I worked as a pilot. He took a chance on me and gave me my real start in aviation, for which I will always be grateful.
Rest in peace, Chuck. I will always remember you.
Chuck was born to Katharine Rutherford Billman and Charles Myers Billman. He graduated from Miami of Ohio University and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, as is his youngest grandson. From an early age, Chuck was infatuated by aviation, a trait he passed along to his two sons. After commissioning via Air Force ROTC at Miami, he went on to a long and distinguished career as a fighter pilot. He flew many airplanes in his Air Force career, including the T-33 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, T-39 Sabreliner and the OV-10 Bronco, but his favorite was the airplane he logged his most hours in and that he flew in combat in Southeast Asia, the F-100 Super Sabre. Among his many decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals.
After retiring from the USAF, Chuck joined some fighter pilot buddies as an airline pilot flying Grumman Goose and Mallard seaplanes for Antilles Air Boats, based on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He eventually became the airline's Chief Pilot. This was the start of many wonderful years for the Billman family in the Islands. After a short break on the mainland flying for Allegheny Airlines' commuter in Illinois, Chuck and his loving wife Pat returned to their cherished island of St. Croix where he became Chief Pilot and Vice President of Operations with Coral Air. Chuck then joined with two friends to start their own airline, Sunaire. As the COO, Chuck grew the airline's operations to one of the largest airlines in the Caribbean, becoming Eastern Airline's inter-island commuter, Eastern Metro Express. He steered the airline through many turbulent times, including Hurricane Hugo's devastating blow to St. Croix. Chuck and his partners eventually sold their airline to a large stateside company, and he and Pat left their island home to be closer to their now growing list of grandchildren.
In retirement, Chuck and Pat moved to Amarillo, Texas to be close to his aging parents, sister and her family, as well as Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Pat's hometown, before alighting in Florida. Throughout these years, Chuck followed his second favorite hobby, finances, and found a new favorite hobby, Grandpa. He had always been an avid stock market player, and took keen interest in income tax work. He joined H&R Block as a tax preparer as well as an instructor. As he entered full retirement, he kept his hand in taxes as the family's tax man. From the moment his first grandchild was born, their grandchildren became integral players in Chuck's and Pat's lives. In fact, Chuck and Pat pulled up stakes in the middle of retirement to travel west to Colorado to help their youngest son, take care of his 3 year old daughter, while his wife finished her final semester of nursing school and his son was working long hours as a speech writer for a 4-star general (who coincidentally has been an F-100 student of Chuck's many years before). Such typical dedication to his family marked Chuck's entire life. He has left an indelible impact of love, dedication, and discipline on his children and grandchildren that will live for many more generations.
Chuck is survived by his devoted wife Pat, one son and his wife, and 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, and his daughter-in-law, (widow of his oldest son Garry, who predeceased Chuck by 6 years). Also surviving Chuck is his son surrogate, and about-to-be-grandson-in-law
Chuck was the president at the first airline where I worked as a pilot. He took a chance on me and gave me my real start in aviation, for which I will always be grateful.
Rest in peace, Chuck. I will always remember you.
Chuck Billman took off on his final mission on 15 March 2013, having fought a valiant, but blissfully brief battle with brain cancer. Chuck joined up in heavenly formation with his eldest son Garry, and fortunately, his own bed at home was his runway. His takeoff was peaceful and quick.
Chuck was born to Katharine Rutherford Billman and Charles Myers Billman. He graduated from Miami of Ohio University and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, as is his youngest grandson. From an early age, Chuck was infatuated by aviation, a trait he passed along to his two sons. After commissioning via Air Force ROTC at Miami, he went on to a long and distinguished career as a fighter pilot. He flew many airplanes in his Air Force career, including the T-33 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, T-39 Sabreliner and the OV-10 Bronco, but his favorite was the airplane he logged his most hours in and that he flew in combat in Southeast Asia, the F-100 Super Sabre. Among his many decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals.
After retiring from the USAF, Chuck joined some fighter pilot buddies as an airline pilot flying Grumman Goose and Mallard seaplanes for Antilles Air Boats, based on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He eventually became the airline's Chief Pilot. This was the start of many wonderful years for the Billman family in the Islands. After a short break on the mainland flying for Allegheny Airlines' commuter in Illinois, Chuck and his loving wife Pat returned to their cherished island of St. Croix where he became Chief Pilot and Vice President of Operations with Coral Air. Chuck then joined with two friends to start their own airline, Sunaire. As the COO, Chuck grew the airline's operations to one of the largest airlines in the Caribbean, becoming Eastern Airline's inter-island commuter, Eastern Metro Express. He steered the airline through many turbulent times, including Hurricane Hugo's devastating blow to St. Croix. Chuck and his partners eventually sold their airline to a large stateside company, and he and Pat left their island home to be closer to their now growing list of grandchildren.
In retirement, Chuck and Pat moved to Amarillo, Texas to be close to his aging parents, sister and her family, as well as Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Pat's hometown, before alighting in Florida. Throughout these years, Chuck followed his second favorite hobby, finances, and found a new favorite hobby, Grandpa. He had always been an avid stock market player, and took keen interest in income tax work. He joined H&R Block as a tax preparer as well as an instructor. As he entered full retirement, he kept his hand in taxes as the family's tax man. From the moment his first grandchild was born, their grandchildren became integral players in Chuck's and Pat's lives. In fact, Chuck and Pat pulled up stakes in the middle of retirement to travel west to Colorado to help their youngest son, take care of his 3 year old daughter, while his wife finished her final semester of nursing school and his son was working long hours as a speech writer for a 4-star general (who coincidentally has been an F-100 student of Chuck's many years before). Such typical dedication to his family marked Chuck's entire life. He has left an indelible impact of love, dedication, and discipline on his children and grandchildren that will live for many more generations.
Chuck is survived by his devoted wife Pat, one son and his wife, and 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, and his daughter-in-law, (widow of his oldest son Garry, who predeceased Chuck by 6 years). Also surviving Chuck is his son surrogate, and about-to-be-grandson-in-law
Chuck was the president at the first airline where I worked as a pilot. He took a chance on me and gave me my real start in aviation, for which I will always be grateful.
Rest in peace, Chuck. I will always remember you.
Chuck was born to Katharine Rutherford Billman and Charles Myers Billman. He graduated from Miami of Ohio University and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, as is his youngest grandson. From an early age, Chuck was infatuated by aviation, a trait he passed along to his two sons. After commissioning via Air Force ROTC at Miami, he went on to a long and distinguished career as a fighter pilot. He flew many airplanes in his Air Force career, including the T-33 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, T-39 Sabreliner and the OV-10 Bronco, but his favorite was the airplane he logged his most hours in and that he flew in combat in Southeast Asia, the F-100 Super Sabre. Among his many decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals.
After retiring from the USAF, Chuck joined some fighter pilot buddies as an airline pilot flying Grumman Goose and Mallard seaplanes for Antilles Air Boats, based on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He eventually became the airline's Chief Pilot. This was the start of many wonderful years for the Billman family in the Islands. After a short break on the mainland flying for Allegheny Airlines' commuter in Illinois, Chuck and his loving wife Pat returned to their cherished island of St. Croix where he became Chief Pilot and Vice President of Operations with Coral Air. Chuck then joined with two friends to start their own airline, Sunaire. As the COO, Chuck grew the airline's operations to one of the largest airlines in the Caribbean, becoming Eastern Airline's inter-island commuter, Eastern Metro Express. He steered the airline through many turbulent times, including Hurricane Hugo's devastating blow to St. Croix. Chuck and his partners eventually sold their airline to a large stateside company, and he and Pat left their island home to be closer to their now growing list of grandchildren.
In retirement, Chuck and Pat moved to Amarillo, Texas to be close to his aging parents, sister and her family, as well as Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Pat's hometown, before alighting in Florida. Throughout these years, Chuck followed his second favorite hobby, finances, and found a new favorite hobby, Grandpa. He had always been an avid stock market player, and took keen interest in income tax work. He joined H&R Block as a tax preparer as well as an instructor. As he entered full retirement, he kept his hand in taxes as the family's tax man. From the moment his first grandchild was born, their grandchildren became integral players in Chuck's and Pat's lives. In fact, Chuck and Pat pulled up stakes in the middle of retirement to travel west to Colorado to help their youngest son, take care of his 3 year old daughter, while his wife finished her final semester of nursing school and his son was working long hours as a speech writer for a 4-star general (who coincidentally has been an F-100 student of Chuck's many years before). Such typical dedication to his family marked Chuck's entire life. He has left an indelible impact of love, dedication, and discipline on his children and grandchildren that will live for many more generations.
Chuck is survived by his devoted wife Pat, one son and his wife, and 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, and his daughter-in-law, (widow of his oldest son Garry, who predeceased Chuck by 6 years). Also surviving Chuck is his son surrogate, and about-to-be-grandson-in-law
Chuck was the president at the first airline where I worked as a pilot. He took a chance on me and gave me my real start in aviation, for which I will always be grateful.
Rest in peace, Chuck. I will always remember you.
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