now. Yup, Bill built that four-place, 160-hp all-metal hummer in his spare time over a nine-year period a while back, and since then has been happily adding to his Young Eagles flights in that aircraft as well. Over his 65 years of flying, Bill and Marion have owned type-certified production aircraft – first a Stinson 10-A, and later a Cessna 150 and two C-172s, and flown them all over North America, including to San Diego, the Bahamas (three times), and Alaska (two times). Ask Bill sometime about the mis-fueling incident at a small airport on the Arctic Circle that nearly made them bear food. They have enjoyed adventures together and made memories that, now as the years begin to catch up to them, prove to be a treasure chest of well-spent time and money. Bill Rewey has accumulated about 3,400 hours as PIC, with his commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating. He has been a member of local EAA chapters for over 40 years and volunteers his time doing the Pietenpol forums and also contributes to various Pietenpol publications. As mentioned already, he is an EAA Technical Counselor and is listed on the EAA Speakers Bureau. Quite the amateur aeronautical
engineer, Bill has fashioned an ingenious method of adding a starter to the Continental A65 engine. Following his retirement, Bill agreed to teach model airplane building to youngsters in after-school classes. Over one hundred “future pilots” have experienced the satisfaction of seeing their creations actually fly. In 1994, Bill supervised EAA Chapter 93’s construction of a Corben Super Ace replica which hangs in the passenger terminal of Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin. These days find Bill focusing on the home front, working around the house, and tending to the needs of Marion, his bride these past 62 years. He still finds time, however, to spend at the airport, working on repairs to the CH801, which suffered an engine failure forced landing back in 2009. Soon he will have it in the air again, probably giving more Young Eagles the gift of their first flight. And, oh yeah, Bill will be at AirVenture this summer, giving the Pietenpol forum as usual and holding forth in the Aircamper or Zenith show plane area out on the flight line. Stop by, say hello and thank him for a job well done!
A celebration of a life well lived by pilot, aircraft builder, EAA member, and friend, Bill Rewey, to be held May 18, 2019 at Sugar Ridge Airport, Verona, Wis., beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a ceremony at 2:00 p.m. 608-692-9597 (chrisrewey@yahoo.com)
Wittman Regional Airport – The Home of General Aviation Development ready lots available now! Come be part of the magic of Oshkosh! Contact Jim Schell, Airport Director at 920-236-4930
APRIL/MAY 2019 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 35