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BORN
1953
DIED
2023
William David Obituary
William "Bill" Joseph David passed away on October 31, 2023. Bill was born on September 20, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio and was 70 years old. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Brigitte Kay David; three daughters, Kristina Rae Gibson (Brian Gibson), Kasandra Leigh David (Alex Read), and Katelynn Marie David (Matthew Heinze); grandsons, William "Billy" Gibson and Benjamin Gibson; sister, Jean Jenkins; brother, John David; and sister, Donna David (Tom Freudenheim).
Bill was a legendary pilot. Bill playfully boasted that he flew solo in New Jersey at 16, a year before he could obtain his driver's license in the same state. From that age on he continued to accumulate one remarkable accomplishment after another. His accolades are too numerous for a comprehensive list but include retiring from American Airlines as a commercial pilot and building a One Design Aircraft from scratch, including blowing the canopy himself. Bill felt strongly that aviation should not be a hobby accessible only to the privileged. Bill's mission was to create an aviation community that was accessible, supportive, and fun. He dedicated his life to teaching others how to build and fly airplanes at no cost to them. One of his proudest accomplishments was founding the Toledo Buzzards Light Sport Aviation Club which provided affordable lessons to its members, making his mission of equitable aviation a reality.
Bill's personality was larger than life. He was blessed with dozens of close friends with whom he was genuinely intimate. He was a gifted storyteller and lit up from the inside when he had a chance to spin a yarn. In addition to airplanes, Bill loved the outdoors and could often be found camping, fishing, or hiking. He was an entertainer who enjoyed hosting private parties and spectacular public events. He had a special relationship with every dog he ever met. A public celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, at 2 p.m. at the American Air hangar at Toledo Executive Airport, 28331 Lemoyne Road, Milbury, OH 43447. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's name may be sent to EAA Chapter 582, 28329 Lemoyne Road, Millbury OH 43447.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William David
Kooza
September 20, 2024
Kooza
September 20, 2024
Kooza
September 20, 2024
Happy birthday Dad, miss you!
Kooza
January 1, 2024
Katey
December 7, 2023
Lynn & Curtis Simonye
December 1, 2023
The memories with Bill, Brigitte and family are numerous. Curtis and I find it difficult to reminisce but agree our memories are funny and enjoyable. Our hearts are broken for his family. What a dynamic individual Bill truly was. He is missed.
Kobos Dias Chichi
November 28, 2023
Dan Myers
November 27, 2023
I met Bill in 1985 when he trained me in the BE18. Every flight was an adventure and a learning experience! He was one of the best pilots I have ever flown with! He was a very interesting person and a great guy! The last time I saw him was at Sun n Fun in April 2016! He will be greatly missed!
Dan Myers
Barbara & Homer May
November 23, 2023
Brigitte and family, I just found out about Bill and it breaks my heart! We´ve been friends for 60 some years. Love you all! Barb and Homer!
John David
November 18, 2023
Bill was more than just a brother; he was and still is a friend. He was teaching me how to fly R/C airplanes at his house. I lost a very good teacher, but I have him in my heart. I hope our childhood memories never fade away it would be a terrible loss for me and our family. He's with our dad now and they are probably flying their planes together along with the rest of the r/c family we knew. Bill you will be sadly missed, but never forgotten. You are in the wild blue yonder now so fly away and enjoy the vast scenery.
Mike Whitescarver
November 16, 2023
Bill will be forever in our hearts and minds. Words cannot express our sorrow for Bill's family and friends in this time of mourning. He taught us all so much, but mostly how to laugh and enjoy life. Thank you Bill for sharing your life with us.
Sean Mulligan
November 16, 2023
After the merger I transferred to Pittsburgh.In 1995 I went on the 76 and shortly afterI met Bill.We were close in seniority but since there were three pilots on those trips we had a chance to get to know each other.We had some really fun trips just a wonderful and interesting guy to be around.As everyone knows our career was not what it should have been but Bill did not sweat the small stuff.A really positive guy and loved flying like I love flying.The only thing I liked better than flying was all of the wonderful people I have had the privilege to work with over the years and Bill was right at the top.Save me a spot up there Bill so we can laugh together again. Sincerely Sean Mulligan
Terry Bender
November 15, 2023
Met Bill downstairs in PIT in 1999. As a new hire, he came across as one of those great pilots we have had the fortune to meet. Within 45 seconds, I learned he was a friend of my oldest brother in Maumee OH, where, I met him the first time in 1966 or so. As commuters to different bases, was always great to catch-up with him. He made a normal day great. Fortunately, before his hand injury, I was honored to fly a three day with Bill. One of best! Certainly sorry for all of our loss in a great person. Condolences to his family and friends.
Laura Johnson
November 15, 2023
Bill will always hold a very special place in my heart and with my family. I trusted him with the most precious thing in life, my daughter, Susan, for pilot training and much more. He was kind, generous, and was a patient teacher. He was more than an instructor , he was a friend. Bill´s character and wisdom were unparalleled.
Fair winds and following seas.
Laura
and Paul Johnson
Bowling Green, Ohio
Jody Vanschoick
November 14, 2023
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. So sorry for your loss.
Jody Vanschoick (UHC)
Kooza
November 13, 2023
Kooza
November 13, 2023
Kooza
November 13, 2023
Kooza
November 13, 2023
Monica Ledesma
November 10, 2023
I haven't seen Bill in a few years, but the Davids were my family for a long time. He was an amazing man and an even better father. I will always cherish the years of jokes and stories by the bonfire. The world lost a true golden soul. Love, Monica Harmonica
Chuck Wood
November 10, 2023
It´s hard to find the words. Being a fellow pilot, Bill was loved and respected by all. We all like to think of ourselves as aviation experts, being around Bill made us all realize who the real expert was. I´m still in shock. It makes me mad at something I´ve loved all my life, flying. I guess God just couldn´t stand to not have Bill with him. Part of his spirit will live in us forever. Deepest sympathies to the David family.
Dick Jeffords
November 10, 2023
Besides being one of the best pilots I ever flew with, Bill was one of the most likable and funny guys I ever met. He could have been a standup comedian on HBO and would have put all other comedians to shame! Whenever I would see Bill´s name on the schedule I would immediately feel happy because Bill had the natural ability to make people around him happy. It was a sad day when we lost him and can never be replaced. Blue Skies Bill and my condolences to your family! Dick Jeffords
Gary Dickens
November 10, 2023
Bill was a great friend and neighbor. He and his family lived down the street in Huntersville. We knew him and his family socially and professionally. After they moved Bill and I would see each other as I passed through Philly and have lunch. A laugh a minute. Bridget, Nancy and I send our thoughts and prayers Gary Dickens
Darrell Moorefield
November 10, 2023
Too many great guys from our Piedmont family leaving too soon .In the crewroom he could turn not such a good day into a great day with his sense of humor . Once you met him you would never forget him . I'm sure there was never a dull moment in a trip with him . I used to call him "David Bill" , My heartfelt condolence to his family
David Richards
November 10, 2023
I flew with Bill one trip on the 767 in about 1992. We were both F/Os (we take 2 First Officers and one Captain on the international flights). That's all it took - one time - to remember him for the rest of my life. He was the funnest person I had ever flow with. I remember so much about that trip. I am a Captain on the 787 now and all these years later when the subject of "characters" we have flown with over the years, I always tell them about Bill. One trip. I cannot imagine your loss having spent a lifetime with him. You are a lucky family to have had that time and I know he will be missed. I am sorry for your loss and I will keep his memory alive for as long as I am at American Airlines.
Dave Schulze
November 10, 2023
I flew many trips with Bill over the years and always had a great time. Bill was a professional pilot in every way and couldn't help telling jokes. He always said "never trust a guy with two first names". He will truly be missed by all.
Robin Steen
November 10, 2023
R.I.P. David. Now you're flying with the angels. May your family and friends be comforted.
Bill McKee
November 10, 2023
I first met Captains Bill and Hal when I was working my first flying job in Fostoria Ohio from 1977 to 1979. These two young guns had scored their first corporate flying job with OH Materials out of Findlay flying a Piper Navajo. There was no hangar space available in Findlay at the time causing them to keep their aircraft in our Hangar at RexAir.
We were all in our early 20 with the same goals and flying aspirations and spent time spinning stories and sharing opportunities to advance our careers to the next level, not knowing our career paths would forever be tied together forming a lifelong relationship. I moved on to a Corporate job in Cleveland in 1979.
In 1985 I got my dream job at Piedmont Airlines. Low and behold Bill got his dream answered in 1986. Those discussions and stories we shared in Fostoria had lead us to the best flying job on the planet.
Over the years every time I saw Bill his dry wit and sense of humor always brought a smile to my face. There was always a lively discussion about our past and present flying that were embellished into bigger and better stories. Simply put, Captain Bill was a hoot. Full of great stories, fun and mostly full of himself as he brought his humor and wit to all that knew him. Everybody that knew him loved him and he will be missed but never forgotten.
Rest in Peace Captain Bill, may your Westward journey be nothing but blue skies and tailwinds as I raise my glass and toast to all the great memories you left behind. Thank you for sharing your life, our dreams and aviation careers but most of all thank you for being my friend.
Capt. Bill and Angela McKee
Kitten Girl
November 9, 2023
Kitten Girl
November 9, 2023
John Drumheller
November 9, 2023
I had heard all the stories but hadn't met the guy - yeah he was a legend! Finally met up at QB and I was instantly sure that we were going to be good friends. Gregarious, smart, and witty - Bill was an iconoclast. We were kindred spirits but, sorrowfully, I didn't get much time to really get to know him. I was stunned when I heard the bad news and definitely felt a big loss at his demise - I knew he was the real deal and that we would've had some great times together. My condolences to Bill's family and friends.
Bill n Dori Ludwick
November 9, 2023
Bill n Dori Ludwick
November 9, 2023
Bill n Dori Ludwick
November 9, 2023
Bill n Dori Ludwick
November 9, 2023
Bill David was a great friend of mine since 1982... he was my mentor when I was 19 20 21 years old, fresh out of college . He taught me not only to be an aviator but also give me the skills to be a good pilot that stayedcwith me my entire life. Without him I wouldn't be where I am today
Bill and I flew together in Beechcraft 18 series aircraft we flew cargo and Auto Freight while I was flight instructing... we had lots of great adventures and a few scary ones!!! .... Bill David was also in Dori and my wedding.. pictures to follow..
To one of the aviation greats, you'll always be missed and hold a special place in our hearts!
So sad to see you fly over the horizon.....
Til we fly again my friend
Thank you Bill David you will forever be missed..
Live
Bill n Dori Ludwick
Marisa Wojcik
November 7, 2023
Brigitte....I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Bill. I love remembering your story of Bill telling everyone we had front row seats to see REO Speedwagon, Styx and Loverboy, and how excited he was for us and to hear about the concert....that story will always bring a smile to my face...and what a wonderful time we had! Love you my friend...
Julie Serda
November 6, 2023
Bill, I always enjoyed our conversations about aviation and was always amazed at your knowledge of aviation. Your quick wit and being able to just strike up a conversation about anything. I respected all of your advise you gave me about aviation and flying. I can't believe your gone and It saddens me as well. You will be missed. I truly wish your family the best. Time I suppose is the thing that heals wounds. I guess we'll see. Take care my friend.
Buzzarooni
November 6, 2023
Buzzarooni
November 6, 2023
Buzzarooni
November 6, 2023
Buzzarooni
November 6, 2023
Buzzarooni
November 6, 2023
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