William Robinson

ROBINSON, WILLIAM R.
William Roy Robinson, 90, of Ocala passed away Thursday, April 1, 2010 at his residence following a brief illness. He was a native of Miami and had been a resident of Ocala for the past 27 years, coming from Miami. He graduated from the Miami Edison High School with the highest scholastic average and where he was Captain of the football team, playing in the first ever football game in the Orange Bowl in Miami in 1938. He later went on to attend the University of Miami, leaving the U. of M. in his third year to join the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II. During college he was an early graduate of Miami's famed Emory Riddle Flight School and became one of the instructors. He first trained pilots in Arcadia, FL for the Naval Air Force. In the military he excelled as an aircraft pilot, flying munitions and reconnaissance, flying out the wounded. He was the first to fly nurses into a war zone. He was the first pilot to fly through a typhoon and was later debriefed by officials from Washington, D.C. Along with his brother, H.B. Robinson and his cousin, Lionel Mobley, he founded the airlines Peninsular Air Transport, Southeast Airlines and Aerocoach along with an airline ticketing agency, Safeway Travel. With their airlines they introduced coach fares to the airline industry. At the time he was recognized in "Who's Who in America" he was the youngest person, at the time, to receive that honor. With his airline he provided free transportation to ill children for medical treatments, along with their families. During the Vietnam Conflict he was the general manager of the largest employer in Dade County at the time, Aerodex, Inc., a jet engine overhaul facility. While in semi-retirement he was called upon as an expert witness for the courts regarding engine failures in major airline disasters. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Ocala and had served in the Bishopric in Miami.
Roy was preceded in death by one daughter, Joan Marie Robinson Taylor; one brother, H.B. Robinson; two sisters, Grace Robinson and Kathryn Kendrick; and a mother of his children, Mary Louise Smith Robinson.
He is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Trudy and Juan Gisbert of Plantation, FL, and Ree Ann Robinson of Deland; three sons and daughter-in-law, William Robinson, Jr. and his wife, Shilah of Tampa, Robert Greggory Robinson of Miami and Mark Howard Robinson of Deltona; a mother of his children, Doris L. Robinson of Deltona; two sisters, Janice Robinson Cameron of Ocala and Jeannine Robinson Shuman and her husband, Hanford Blitch Shuman of Ocala; a brother-in-law, Oakley G. Smith of Miami Beach; one grandson, Robert Greggory Robinson, Jr. of Hollywood, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the Masters Funeral Home, 3015 Crill Ave., Palatka, FL. His nephew Glenn Scott Cameron will deliver a eulogy. The family will receive friends beginning one hour before the time of the service. Burial will follow in the San Mateo Cemetery in San Mateo, FL.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to mastersobit@hotmail.com.
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.