Bill Wayne Sammy Sampson

Sampson, Bill W. “Sammy”, aeronautical engineer and pilot, died Wednesday, July 27, 2005. Service 2:00 P.M., Monday, College Hill United Methodist Church. Bill was born September 30, 1917 in Cash, TX. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Marie; son, David Sampson; granddaughter, Hilaire Sampson; grandson, Jason Sampson; great-grandchildren, Jadyn and Damon Sampson; brother, Jack Sampson; many nieces and nephews. Bill completed the spring semester of 1937 at what was then called North Texas Agricultural College. Mr. Fred Snavely, Bills professor at the time, suggested that he should go see how all metal airplanes were built. Bill chose to go to Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, for what he thought was going to be a summer job to build airplanes. Instead, his summer job turned into a career totaling 45 years. Holding the longest service record at Beech, he acquired many firsts: serving as a technical advisor for military training films at Walt Disney Studios; assisting in the world record for non-stop distance flying for planes by disassembling and reassembling non-stop flights from Honolulu to New Jersey; and earning a commercial pilots license which resulted in his setting a world record by flying an estimated 3,000 Beech Bonanzas. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st, Wichita, KS, 67214. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.