Martha Emily Metz Gile

Martha Emily Metz Gile, of Hillsville, Va., took her last flight on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. She was born to Fred Christian Metz and Martha Julia Fritz Metz on March 4, 1925. She was an aviator and native of Miami, Fla. Emily served with the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, class of 44-W-8.
Emily Gile's childhood and adolescence in Miami, Fla., and her family's business in cows, chickens and turkeys during the Great Depression when her father was unable to find work in accounting. Determined to become a WASP, Gile was initially turned away because of her age, but earned her private license while working at the Army Air Corp base. On the day she turned 18 and a half she hopped a military flight bound to Washington, D.C., and was escorted to be interviewed at the Pentagon with Jacqueline Cochran who admitted her into the program. Gile completed her training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, graduating on October 18, 1944. She was then was stationed at Greenwood, Miss., and ferried planes to different bases and tested repaired planes before they entered back into service. The WASP were deactivated in December of 1944.
Emily Metz Gile then married and served in the Air Force Reserves until she became pregnant with her son. She then attended Concordia River Forest College to become a teacher for elementary children in parochial schools. Then Gile received her Masters in reading education at Appalachian State University. Gile then moved Hillsville, Va., to be a reading specialist for Carroll County Schools.
After her retirement form teaching she volunteered in so many ways. She was involved with many organizations including the American Association for Retired Persons serving as chairman for the retired teachers for years. Emily Gile was also a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Carroll County Retired Teachers, American Legion and the American Cancer Society serving as relay captain for many years. She also believed that the children of Carroll County needed the opportunity to experience flight so she began the Young Eagles' Program Local EAA chapter.
Emily Gile leaves her two children, one son, Emory Bearden, of Hillsville, Va.; one daughter and son-in-law, Larry and Martha Musser; and her three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Caroline, and Sarah Musser, of Winston-Salem, N.C.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Vaughan-GuynnMcGrady Chapel with Dr. Marva Dawn officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Hillsville VFW Post #1115. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, November 21, 2008, from 6 until 8 p.m. Burial will be 2 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2008, in Quantico National Cemetery. Donations maybe made to W.A.S.P. Women Endowment Fund T.W.U., P.O. Box 425528, Denton, Texas 76204 or the local EAA Chapter Young Eagles Program, c/o Shirley Steele, 681 Mt. Zion Road, Woodlawn, Va. 24381. A guestbook is available online at www.vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.