Billy Mitchell Henderson

LAKELAND – Billy Mitchell Henderson, 89, of Lakeland, husband of the late Queena Adair Henderson of Buffalo, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2019 at Arbor Oaks Assisted Living home. Born December 27, 1929 in Winter Haven, Florida, he was the son of the late William Henry and Minnie Esther Henderson. Billy is survived by his children; Kathy Head and her husband Sam of Stafford, VA; Arthur Henderson and his former wife Caprice Bennett, Wade Henderson and his wife Mindy, nine grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, George Henderson also of Lakeland. His background includes four years with the Civil Air Patrol, seven years with the Naval Air Reserve, thirty-three years in the auto body business, and forty-five years with Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In, Inc. He is a founding member of the Sun 'n Fun Aviation Fly-In and Foundation, a Member Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Experimental Aircraft Association for 12 years, and a former chairman at the world's largest aviation convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was a licensed pilot and an aircraft owner since 1967. As the Executive Director of the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-in, Inc., and the Sun 'n Fun Aviation Foundation, Billy was responsible for the day-to-day operation of both corporations. His duties included assisting with development of activities and facilities, securing of funds for such development, and advancement of education of the aviation industry in the community through programs and workshops. Billy served as the Chairman of the Homebuilders Display Area at the annual EAA Convention at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and in other volunteer positions for 27 years. He served on the following committees: Strategic Planning and Member Programs Committees of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; the Florida Action Committee-Tail Structures and the Florida Aerospace Utilization Committee; Polk County Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Safety Committee. Billy personally restored three aircraft and assisted with numerous others. He was instrumental in the growth of Sun 'n Fun, guiding the development of the convention and fly-in into the second largest of its type in the nation and the largest convention in the state of Florida. He was instrumental in furthering aviation education through the EAA Young Eagles Program and the YMCA Aviators program. During his tenure, Sun 'n Fun support was given to a workshop program at Kathleen High School that enabled students to build an airplane, A similar project exists at Mulberry High School. He was a driving force behind student tours of the convention and community awareness through presentations to civic organizations to include both city and county groups. Through the growth and development of the convention, Billy and Sun 'n Fun have contributed to the economic growth of the tourism trade in the city of Lakeland and Polk County as well as favorable impact on local business during the week of the convention. Billy worked closely with the, FAA, the City of Lakeland and the Airport Director to secure funding for improvements to the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport through individual efforts and by serving on the Lakeland Airport Technical Advisory Committee. Throughout his life Billy received many awards and certificates for his efforts for aviation, but his greatest joy was working together with the thousands of volunteers who have made Sun ‘n Fun the great organization it is today. A celebration of Billy’s life will be held at a future date at the Sun ‘n Fun campus. Details will be forth coming.

Billy Mitchell Henderson

December 27, 1929 - April 12, 2019