Walt Billett Award

History & About the award...

The Granddaddy of Model Aviation - Has Joined the Great Pilot!
Walter H. Billett (Walt as he was known to most of you), passed away February 24, 1969 at the age of 88 years and 10 months at Ebenezer Home where he had lived for about the last three years. Half of that time was spent in bed, but his mind was still alert up until two days before he passed away. What was he talking about? His book – ‘The History of the AMA”. He had spent 5 years in getting it published. Yes, he spent those 5 years getting writers, and gathering material and finances for it. He lived to see it published so he was happy even though he spent all of his remaining money on it. Walt was one of the first two men to get Model Aviation and model meets started in the Minnesota area....way back in 1938. He was involved with dawn meets (Free Flight), PAA Load, many U.C. meets in between; also Jaycee and Field House meets. He also printed almost all of the “Lets Go” column at his own expense for many years. Walt was in the Hobby business on 26th and Nicollet from 1926 to 1955, but he didn’t quit helping Model Aviation; as many of you and your fathers knew of him. During the War years (WWII), he had a complete shop next door to his hobby shop. He turned out Identification Models for the Navy – 6,000 in all. Although he had only one son, Richard, who was a Lt. Commander in the Navy during the War, he loved kids and loved to work with and for them. He had 4 Grandsons, 2 of them are still in Aviation; one is an Army Pilot and another a Commercial pilot. He was also a very patriotic gent. He alone got almost all of the merchants on 26th and Nicollet, some 90 in all, to put up the U.S. Flag in front of their places of business every legal holiday. Now, the American Legion puts them out – but Walt used to do it, sometimes when he could barely walk because of his advanced age. Perhaps I knew this man best – for 29 years he was like a father to me as we worked together on all of his projects.
God bless and keep him in the Great Blue Yonder! Paul G. Ring

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