William Craig Ilstrup

My father's love of flight grew as he prepared to serve his country in the U.S. Navy, 9 Battalion August 1943. His training aircraft included a single-engine, two-seater Porterfield, a Stearman biplane and a two-engine Beechcraft. After being commissioned as an officer, he flew a Catalina PBY and then a PB4Y2 (four engine bomber with a single tail). World War II ended and he was discharged from service with a Navy commercial pilot rating. As a civilian, he flew and sequentially owned eleven planes: Piper Tripacer, Cessna 140, Cessna 180, Piper Comanche, Piper Apache Twin Engine, Twin Comanche, Piper Comanche, Twin Comanche, Cessna 172 Float Plane, Piper Aztec Twin Engine, and Piper Arrow. He received his instrument rating at Chicago's Midway Airport. He joined the Viroqua, WI flying club in 1983 and was an active member. In the Bible, Isaiah 40:31 reads, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles..." I thank God for fulfilling that promise for my Dad. -Kristine Ross