William Charles Kyle

My father has gone to be with my mother and our Lord on this beautiful, sunny, summer day. The kind of day we use to lazily spend at our pool with lots of friends, complete with cookouts, highly competitive croquet matches, and the sound of kids begging dads to play Marco Polo . As an only child, I was blessed to have an idyllic childhood.

Daddy grew up near Cincinnati, Ohio, the only child of loving parents. From an early age he was enthralled by airplanes. Charles Lindbergh was an inspiration. He joined the Army Air Corp at age 17 during WWII and entered pilot training. Daddy always said he got more from the military than he gave: discipline, purpose and flight training he could not have afforded otherwise.

After the war he flight instructed and was a test pilot . During that time, he met and married my mother. Mom was beautiful and funny. He always said he married up. My parents were made for each other . They moved to Winston-Salem in 1949 when he was hired by Piedmont Airlines. He became a Captain, Chief Pilot and subsequently Director of Flight Operations for the best little airline in the world. He said he got paid doing what he loved. When he retired he flew the Piedmont DC-3 to air shows all over. The aircraft was sponsored by UsAir which had acquired Piedmont. Once again he couldn’t believe his good fortune. He got paid to participate in airshows and he loved it.

Daddy also owned and rebuilt several vintage aircraft over the years including his beloved North American T-6. On occasion he would fly over my house at the lake, I would hear that loud , radial engine approach and run out to see daddy circling over the house and wagging the wings. Our neighbors didn’t mind the noise, they thought it was cool. It was.

My father was self-taught. He would find the appropriate book for whatever subject he was interested in and pore over it. He designed and built the house I grew up in. He and another close friend bought land , sold lots and built houses in the 60’s . It was a small but successful venture.

An avid gun collector, he was very knowledgeable about antique guns in particular. He shot trap for a long time and won his fair share of awards. Daddy went on three hunting safaris in Africa over the years. He said the continent possessed a grandeur and beauty all its own.

I’m a daddy’s girl and have always admired my father immensely. A great teacher, he taught me to swim, drive, ride a horse, shoot a gun, and fly an airplane. He instilled in me a love of travel and adventure. He taught me to have convictions, be accountable and responsible. Stand your ground when you know you’re right but admit it when you’re wrong. Never expect someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Don’t waste time worrying, it changes nothing . Discreetly give to those in need, don’t make a show of it. Everybody deserves a second chance, and if you can read, there isn’t anything you can’t learn to do.

He encouraged me when needed, scolded me when deserved , and loved me unconditionally. I wish every child could have had a father as wonderful as mine , the world would be a better place.

Even though mom passed in 2012, daddy wore his wedding band til the day he died. He said mom put it on his finger in 1948 and he was sentimental about not removing it.

Years ago daddy told me he prayed the same prayer every night, …. “Lord, help me become the best husband , father and pilot I can be . “ Your prayers were answered daddy.

I would like to thank the skilled nursing staff of Bermuda Village , Trellis Hospice care, and all Doctors and Nurses who make it their mission , “ to cure sometimes, relieve often, and comfort always “.

In keeping with my fathers wishes , there will be no service.

If so led, please consider donating to the DAV.org for our veterans.