Walter William Estridge, Jr.

Walter Estridge of Arlington, Texas, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on February 22, 2018. Walt shared a loving 67-year marriage with wife Addie Luceil and was the father of daughters Elizabeth and Anita. Raised in Brookville, Indiana, Walt was the son of Walter Sr. and Pearl (Nolan) Estridge. Walt’s parents, a brother, seven sisters, grandparents, relatives and the occasional farmhand and assorted barnyard critters made for a happy Depression-era childhood on the family’s Indiana farm.

Walt attended public schools in Brookville where he excelled in the classroom and on the cross country and track teams. In 1944, while still in high school, Walt enlisted in the United States Army Air Force as an aviation cadet and entered active duty service upon graduation from Brookville High School in 1945. Stationed in San Antonio, Walt met, courted, and in July 1950, married Addie Luceil LeFors of Kenedy, Texas.

During their marriage they were blessed with daughters Elizabeth and Anita and over the years made their home in San Antonio; Hickam Field, Hawaii; Cincinnati; Chicago; Long Island; and since 1967; Arlington, Texas. Grandson James Walter George Karney (Jamie) brought much joy to Walt during the last two decades of his life.

As a child, when young Walt witnessed a barnstorming pilot land in a nearby cow pasture, he immediately knew he wanted to fly. And throughout his life, fly he did! His first attempt was jumping off the chicken house roof, flapping wooden shingle wings. That short flight would be followed by thousands that were more successful.

Walt served our country for 25 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, ending his service as a Major in 1969. He participated in the Berlin Airlift, flying nearly 200 missions to the beleaguered city with food, supplies, and a few chocolate bars, too. During the Korean War, Walt made 150 trans-Pacific flights, carrying seriously wounded soldiers back to hospitals in the United States.

As a civilian pilot, it was not uncommon to find Walt volunteering at the controls of cargo aircraft bringing emergency supplies to disaster areas, or giving instrument flying lessons to missionaries serving in remote areas of the world. In April 1975, he participated in the American Airlines humanitarian evacuation of refugees from South Vietnam. In 1955, Walt began a 31-year career with American Airlines as a pilot, flight instructor and Director of Flight Training from 1976-1985.

Widely known and respected in the aviation and aerospace industry, Walt was known for his professionalism, knowledge, and expertise as a pilot and instructor. His FAA pilot certificate included a rare second page to hold qualifications and ratings for over 100 aircraft. A licensed pilot for over 60 years, Walt amassed more than 45,000 hours in military, commercial and private aircraft. The FAA recognized his excellent flight record in 2004 with their Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

Among his many other accomplishments, Walt was the pilot on the first-ever passenger flight of a DC-10. In the 1970s and 80s he and staff at the American Flight Academy trained NASA pilots in the operation of the Boeing 747 used to transport the Space Shuttle. Walt served as chairman of the Air Transport Association and International Air Transport Association Training Committees where he was the fourth person to receive the IATA’s Brevet award for outstanding service to the industry. In 1990 the University Aviation Association established the W.W. Estridge Award, for leadership and service in collegiate aviation education. In 2005 the City of Arlington, Texas recognized Walt for his efforts on behalf of the city’s municipal airport including the addition of its first FAA control tower.

A life member of the Commemorative Air Force, Walt enjoyed flying the P-47 Thunderbolt, P-40 Warhawk, F-4U Corsair and other aircraft at CAF Airshows. Walt held numerous leadership positions in the CAF, including serving as Deputy Commander for 8 years.

In the early days of flight, pilots were considered reckless and irresponsible daredevils. Teenaged Walter asked a local minister for advice about his desire to pursue a career in aviation. The minister decided to consult with an aviation expert in Dayton, OH, on Walt’s behalf. The minister described Walt’s passion for airplanes, aviation and flight. In response, Mr. Orville Wright advised that Walt should pursue his dream, because “aviation is an honorable profession.” Since that leap from the chicken house roof, Walter W. Estridge lived a life in the air, serving his God, his country, and his fellow human beings with integrity, compassion, faith, and humility.

Walt is survived by his wife Addie Luceil, daughter Elizabeth Witt and husband Mark of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Anita Karney and husband James of Waco; grandson Jamie Karney of Waco; brother Herbert Estridge and wife Ellen of Brookville, IN; sister Mary Shirleen Sherwood of Hamilton, OH, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A service celebrating Walt’s exceptional life will be Friday, March 9 at 2pm at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Street in Arlington, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 8 from 6-8pm, also at Moore Funeral Home.