Honoree – Billy Parker

Will D. “Billy” Parker

Honored 1969

Billy Parker was born on January 3, 1899, in Oklahoma and grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado. When he was in the eighth grade, he built a glider which he flew in the foothills west of Ft. Collins. He also devised a functional parachute recovery system that ensured he would always have a safe landing. Billy soloed in a powered aircraft soon after. He built about ten Curtiss pusher type biplanes in his youth. He attended several military schools to hone his talents in aviation and was also schooled by the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC).  In World War I, he was an instructor and became a Captain in the RFC in 1917.  When the United States entered the war, he transferred to the United States Armed Forces.

After the war he barnstormed, worked for the Dewey Airplane Company, and eventually went to work for Phillips Petroleum where he eventually became director of their aviation division, remaining there until his retirement. During his time at Phillips, he oversaw the development of advanced fuel blending, which improved large-engine-horsepower performance for our Air Force, during World War II. After the war, he contributed significantly to the development of high-altitude jet engine anti-icing fuel supplements. During his flying career he amassed over 18,000 hours in the air and designed and held the patents on the first successful variable pitch propellers. Billy was active in the Early Birds, the organization of pioneer aviators, and served as President and Chairman of that group from 1951-53.