Richmond, Virginia

Inducted in 1988, Judge William E. Spain began his aviation career as a “grease-monkey” helping to wash, refuel and repair airplanes at Richard E. Byrd Flying Field. He soloed in 1930 and became a lawyer in 1934.  He was an original member of the Virginia Protective Flying Force, a part of the Virginia Militia, which later became the nucleus of the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol on December 1, 1941.  During WWII, he was a Civil Air Patrol pilot attached to a target-towing unit at Langley Field in Hampton, VA.  Judge Spain remained active in the CAP until 1965, serving in a variety of capacities, including Virginia Wing Deputy Commander.  He was a founder of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society and was the Chairman of the Board of Directors when the Society’s acquired the Shannon Aviation Collection.  A retired chief judge of Richmond Circuit Court, he logged more than 4,000 hours of flying time and has been a life long supporter of aviation.