William "Kelly" Owen is one of the true pioneers of flight, having flown virtually all types of aircraft with single wings, biplanes, single engine prop, and jet, and gliders, through multi engine aircraft of all configurations both on land and sea. His "pilot in command" flight experience has been in all weather conditions, for civilian and military missions, including flying the Boeing 747 internationally. He has worked all continents except Antarctica. Whenever he is asked which plane was his favorite, he merely smiles and answers "I enjoyed all of them!"
Born in Johnson City, Tennessee, on September 1, 1915, Kelly obtained his first pilot's license in August 1932. He received additional flight and engineering training at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduation in the summer of 1934, Kelly received his Transport Pilot's Rating (# 26579) and spent several years with the Lewis Air Service, Burbank, California.
In the spring of 1939, Kelly began a 36-year career with American Airlines, which was, like many of his generation, interrupted with service in World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam.
Reporting for active duty in May 1942, Kelly completed assignments in flight transport, test and engineering. Soon he was promoted to the rank of Major and completed a stint in Galveston, Texas as a B-29 flight instructor. He served as Icing Project Officer for the Cold Weather Test Detachment of the Proving Ground Command in Fairbanks, Alaska. Major Owen also commanded missions throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations.
After serving in the Civilian Reserve Air Lift Command during the Korean War, Kelly ushered in the Jet Age as American's Acceptance Pilot for Boeing 707 and 720 jetliners. He managed test and delivery programs for the Convair 990 series and made important contributions to the safety of San Francisco International Airport.
As Chief Test and Acceptance Pilot for American Airlines, Kelly led the introduction of the Boeing 747 into active service as Captain of inaugural flights from JFK to SFO and from Auckland, New Zealand to Honolulu, which launched American's Pacific Operation.
Before retirement in 1975, Kelly managed the transition of 707s to Pan International in Germany, training and certifying pilots for duties throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. He made yet another contribution to his country by overseeing and flying air transport and evacuation flights into and out of Viet Nam.
Upon retirement as an active commercial pilot, Kelly continued old hobbies and developed many new interests. He was among the first Certified Accutron Technicians on the US West Coast of the Bulova Watch Company. Building on his long-standing interest in all things automotive, he achieved ASE master ratings in automotive electronics, brakes, air conditioning and engines. He held a NASCAR racing license, and crewed for stock car race teams in California.
Kelly is treasured by all who have come to know him while fishing, hunting, working, racing, playing practical jokes, or traveling for pleasure. He continues to proofread and assemble aeronautical records, histories and memoirs for his many friends.