Peter Jay Wurts

PETER JAY WURTS PRESCOTT - Peter Jay Wurts was born on September 7, 1920 in Spring Lake, New Jersey to Burkhardt and Muriel Wurts. He died on January 2, 2007, at the age of 86 after a six month battle with cancer. He earned his private and commercial pilot's license under the federal Civilian Pilot Training program. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army Air Corps, where he earned his commission and AAF pilot's wings. He served most of the war as an instructor pilot in BT-13s and AT-6s, but transferred to a B-24 combat unit just prior to the Japanese surrender. Pete served for two years as a patrolman for the Phoenix Police Department before moving to Jacksonville, FL., where he was a partner in Skytel, Incl. A seaplane base, and pilot for the newly formed Florida Air National Guard, flying P-51s, and later F-80s, the USAF's first operational jet fighter. He was activated for the Korean War and served with the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing in Japan, and Korea. He flew 100 combat missions, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals. He returned to Luke AFB and completed his tour as a F-51 instructor pilot, leaving the service in 1952. He continued to fly with the 197th Fighter-Interceptor (later, Military Transport) Squadron based at Sky Harbor, piloting such aircraft as the F-86A, F-86L, F-104, and C-97 until his retirement from the Air Force in 1972, with the rank of Colonel and approximately 22,000 flying hours. Highlights of this service included deployment to Germany during the 1961 Berlin Wall crisis, missions to Vietnam in the C-97, and duty as the 197th squadron commander. An experienced horseman, Pete co-founded the Scottsdale Polo Club where he played in various local and national tournaments. He also enjoyed scuba diving, skiing, and cruising. He was the founder of the Amigos de la Capa, the only chapter in the Northern Hemisphere, which originated in Spain. Pete began a career in the lodging industry, building and operating a number of Arizona Best Western motels. He joined the Board of Directors of Best Western International, becoming its president in 1974. Under his leadership, the organization expanded into many international markets to become the world's largest lodging chain. Retiring from the lodging industry in 2002, Pete joined the Volunteers in Protection program as a Deputy for the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, serving until 2005. In 2006, he co-authored a memoir of his aviation career, Wingmen Two Friends, Four Wars, Flying and Fighting Through the Twentieth Century with his lifelong friend and business partner, William R. Yoakley. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine Wurts, daughter Barbara Wurts, brother Burkhardt Wurts, and sister Muriel Bertleson. Pete is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; his brother, Richard Wurts of Arizona; his children Jay (Peggy) Wurts of California, Theresa Bell of New Mexico, Rick Elvey of Arizona, and Robin Melville of Georgia; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was a true gentleman in a world where few exist. His wit and humor will be missed by all who knew and loved him. A private memorial celebration of Pete's life has been scheduled for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Pete's name be made to the YRMC Hospice, at 3262 N. Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314.

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