Roanoke, Virginia

Inducted in 2002, William E. “Bill” Brightwell learned to fly in Aeronca C-3s and Ks. Before WWII, he worked at Embry Riddle Flight Training School in the aircraft maintenance department. In March of 1941, he joined the U.S. Army and received his basic light training in PT-22s and BT-13s. After training in the AT-9s he transitioned to the P-38 Lightning in 1942. He went on to fly the B-26 Marauder and the B-24 Liberator. After the war he flew crop dusters in Washington and Rhode Island. He then flew for an architectural and engineering firm for 31 years. In the 1960s Bill tried to introduce helicopters to hospitals and city/county municipalities in Southwest Virginia. Bill has been responsible for many aviation and airplane events, including organizing “The Gathering of Eagles” breakfast in Roanoke.