W. Dillard “Pic” Walker papers, 1928-2014
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Walker, W. Dillard, 1911-1993
- Title
- W. Dillard “Pic” Walker papers
- Dates
- 1928-2014 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 5.64 cubic ft. (4 boxes) + 19.80 GB and website
- Collection Number
- 12849
- Summary
- William Dillard “Pic” Walker was an aeronautical engineer and pilot in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Collection contains biographical information, correspondence, logbooks, photographs, and artwork regarding Pic Walker's work in aviation.
- Repository
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American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
William Dillard “Pic” Walker was an aeronautical engineer and pilot in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born on November 26, 1911, in LaSalle, Colorado and attended Colorado A&M (CSU) where he majored in aeronautical engineering. In the early 1930s he and his brother, Willis, started a produce business in Cheyenne, later establishing Plains Airways. In 1941, Walker would help establish the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), being appointed Wyoming’s first wing commander. Walker married Frances Nesbitt, the first female to learn to fly in Wyoming, in 1938. They would have three children Billy, who became a pilot for Frontier Airlines, Martha Jo, and Mary Margaret. Walker owned several ranches around Saratoga, Wyoming, later opening the Saratoga Inn with his brother. The Walkers moved to Arizona in 1958, where Walker would pass away on March 31, 1993.
Content Description
Collection includes files containing information about Plains Airways, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Also included are biographical files for Walker and his son Billy, as well as for other aviators and friends of Walker. There is information about numerous awards and honors that Walker received. The collection contains logbooks for Pic and Frances Walker. The collection includes photographs related to Plains Airways and the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Other photographs relate to Walker and other aviators, including Walter Beech, as well as photos of George Hopkins who parachuted onto Devils Tower in 1941. The collection contains several pieces of art, including two Dave Paulley paintings.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
This material was received from Billy Walker in 2022.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by John R. Waggener and Jamie J. Greene in August 2023.
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by W. Dillard “Pic” Walker at the date of processing.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Art:, 1944-2011
Container: Box 2 and 4
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Description: "Honoring Billy Walker", painting of aircraft by Dave PaulleyDates: 2011Container: Box 2, Folder
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Description: "DC-3 into Denver" painting of Frontier Airlines DC-3 flying into Stapleton Airport at night by Dave PaulleyDates: 1997Container: Box 2, Folder
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Description: B-29 Super Fortress posterDates: 1944Container: Box 2, Folder
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Description: Pic Walker standing with his Beech Twin, painting by C.W. BuchananDates: 1992Container: Box 4, Folder
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Description: Artifacts: Plains Airways wings and civil air patrol medalDates: 1942-2014Container: Box 1, Folder
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Awards:, 1992-2006
Container: Box 1-3
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Description: Civil Air Patrol Award honoring W. Dillard "Pic" WalkerDates: 1992Container: Box 2, Folder
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Description: Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame nomination medalsDates: 1989-1992Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Elder Statesman of Aviation Award, National Aeronautical Association (includes photographs)Dates: 1992-1993Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Elder Statesman of Aviation Award, National Aeronautical Association Selection Committee Nomination SummaryDates: 1992Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Elder Statesman of Aviation Awards honoring W. Dillard "Pic" WalkerDates: 1992, 2006Container: Box 3, Folder
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Biographical:, 1936-2011
Container: Box 1
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Description: Don DonelanDates: 1961-1988Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Charles Hirsig (Summit Airways)Dates: 1911-1984Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Clyde Ice (Knights of the Round Engines)Dates: 2007Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Ralph Johnson - includes photographs and interview (USB)Dates: 1977-2008Container: Box 1 and Digital, Folder ahcdm_12849_001
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Description: Ralph Johnson - National Aeronautic Association Elder Statesman awardDates: 1991-1992Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Sam Keener (includes photographs)Dates: 1942-1997Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Aubrey KeifDates: 2017Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: George "Gib" Nesbitt (includes photographs and Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame nomination)Dates: 1936-1990Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Billy Parker (article about)Dates: 1974Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Clifford Raub (includes Clyde Ice material, Knights of the Round Engine)Dates: 2007Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Billy Walker (includes photograph)Dates: 1944-2011Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: W. Dillard "Pic" WalkerDates: 1938-1996Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Civil Air PatrolDates: 1941-1996Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Logbooks: Frances Walker (includes additional documents)Dates: 1939-1941Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Logbooks: Pic Walker (includes additional documents)Dates: 1936-1948Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Notebook (Beechcraft 18 on cover)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder
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Description: OX-5 Club of AmericaDates: 1991-1993Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Photo Album: Pic WalkerDates: 1929-1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Photographic Collage: Framed photo mostly of Pic Walker, includes a photo ID box with captionsDates: undatedContainer: Box 4, Folder
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Photographs:
Container: Box 1
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Description: Air Mail Scenes (copy photos)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Arizona (includes B-17s and B-24s at Kingman Air Field)Dates: 1946-1960Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Lewis Bates (Wyoming State Tribune editor)Dates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Walter Beech (Wyoming Scenes)Dates: 1948Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: CallAir Snow CarDates: 1949Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Cheyenne (includes snow scene, aerial views of Fort Warren, and Jack Frost Frozen Food and Locker building with Airport Fountain)Dates: 1939-1940Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Al EbriteDates: 1928Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: El Ranchero Pequeno (Walker Ranch southwest of Laramie)Dates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: George Hopkins (Devils Tower Stunt)Dates: 1941Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Nadine and Elrey JeppesenDates: 1995Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Ralph Johnson and Ralco AircraftDates: 1930-1960Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Lounge Scene (Billy Maki, Pic Walker, Nels Smith, Fleda and Lorenz Iversen, and othersDates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1940-1950Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: One Shot Antelope HuntDates: 1940-1941Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Army Corps LiaisonsDates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP), Laramie (includes University of Wyoming class scenes)Dates: 1941-1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - EmployeesDates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Facilities and Miscellaneous ImagesDates: 1941-1945Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Fort Morgan Pre Glider Training FacilityDates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Ground SchoolDates: 1941-1945Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Latin Cadets (students from Mexico, Columbia, and Peru)Dates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Link Trainer (flight simulator)Dates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Plains Airways - Maintenance, Mechanics. Instrumentation, and TestingDates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Hjalmer Rosenberg with his Travel Air 2000 (printed copy)Dates: 1928Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Sikorsky VS-300 HelicopterDates: 1940Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Sky High Stampede Rodeo and Parade (Monte Vista, Colorado)Dates: 1940Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Nels Smith (Wyoming Governor)Dates: 1941-1945Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: United Air Lines DC-3 (with Ralph Johnson and others)Dates: 1937Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Jack Walker riding at Cheyenne Frontier DaysDates: 1940Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Pic WalkerDates: 1928-1959Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Pic Walker's Cessna at Wardell Field in Casper with Passengers (Oregon Trail viewing with Oregon trail pioneer)Dates: 1935Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Billy Walker in his Boeing Stearman, enhanced photograph by Tom Sceurman (oversized)Dates: 2008Container: Box 3, Folder
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Plains Airways:, 1938-1993
Container: Box 1
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Description: Civilian Pilot Training Program (includes information from instructor Chesley Harris)Dates: 1942-1993Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Incorporation and other DocumentsDates: 1938-1954Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Publication: Air Transport Association of America, "Little Known Facts about the Scheduled Air Transport Industry", Volume IIDates: 1940Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Saratoga (WY) Bridge over the North Platte River - article and photosDates: 1984Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Silver Wings Fraternity - 70th Anniversary of Transcontinental Airmail Flight (William D. Madsen)Dates: 1990Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Walker Memorial Scholarship - Arizona State UniversityDates: 1999-2019Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame - Pic Walker Induction (includes photographs)Dates: 1993-1996Container: Box 1, Folder
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Description: Website: Captain Billy Walker: Blue Skies & Tailwinds (https://captainbillywalker.com/)Dates: 2022-Container: Box Digital, Folder
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Aeronautical engineers
- Aeronautics
- Air pilots -- Wyoming
- Aircraft industry
Personal Names
- Walker, Billy, Captain
- Walker, Frances
Corporate Names
- Cheyenne Airport (Cheyenne, Wyo.)
- Plains Airways
- United States. Civil Air Patrol
- University of Wyoming. College of Engineering
Geographical Names
- Cheyenne (Wyo.)
- Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945
- Wyoming -- History -- 1946-1999
