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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Leader

Honored by:
R. Scott Williams

Born in Hendersonville, NC, in August 1927, Robert Vance Williams first flew at age one on the lap of his mother aboard a barnstorming Ford Tri-Motor. Awarded flying permit at age 17, soloing Piper J-3 Cub. Joined U.S Army Air Corps Enlisted Reserve in 1944; served in Army Airways Communications Service in 1945, 1946.

Hired by Lockheed-Georgia Company, Marietta, GA, in 1951 as mechanic modifying B-29 Super Fortress bombers for Korean War. Performed as Final Assembly Supervisor during company's initial production of B-47 Stratojet bombers and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. Active in C-141 Starlifter cargo aircraft development and production program eleven years as Chief Project Coordinator, then Program Manager.

Transferred to Lockheed-California Company, Burbank and Palmdale, CA, in 1973, serving 15 years in program management responsibilities for P-3 Long Range Patrol Aircraft and L-1011 TriStar passenger transport programs, becoming General Manager of Commercial Programs. Concluded career in 1990 as Assistant General Manager of Lockheed-Georgia Company.

For ten years during retirement, volunteered coordination of e-mail network among 1800 Lockheed/Lockheed Martin retirees residing in six countries, composing and issuing bimonthly electronic newsletters of U.S. military and commercial aerospace current events.