William Earl Harrison, Jr

William E. Harrison MD "Bill", 85, died peacefully, Monday, June 24th in Tulsa, Oklahoma, surrounded by family. He was born November 2,1933 to W. Earl and Minnie Louise Howell Harrison in Waco, TX where he was raised. At the age of 16, he graduated from Waco High School and left home to attend Rice University followed by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. His residency training included general surgery and orthopedic surgery at Baylor Hospital, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Children's Hospital in Phoenix and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Bill joined the Army and served as a Captain with the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. His surgical skills were needed at Fort Campbell Kentucky and Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was stationed. Bill settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma and practiced as a General Orthopedic Surgeon at all four Tulsa hospitals until 1972 when he became fellowship trained in Hand Surgery. He practiced alone until 1981 when Michael Clendenin MD joined him as a partner in the practice he founded, Hand Surgery Inc. He served Saint John Medical Center as Chief of Surgery, Chief of Orthopedics and Chief of Staff. He served his medical community as President of the Tulsa County Surgical Society, the Tulsa County Orthopedic Society, and the Tulsa County Medical Society. He was a Clinical Associate Professor at both the University of Oklahoma Medical School and Oklahoma State University Medical School. Bill retired as a practicing surgeon in July of 1999 at which time he was appointed Director of Surgical Services at Saint John Medical Center until June of 2002. He later rejoined Michael, working in his office until finally retiring for good in 2015 although he kept current on continuing education and was a licensed MD until he died. Bill's passion was flying and particularly flying retired military aircraft. He established his own Warbird Aircraft restoration and sales businesses, Condor Aviation and Bluegoose Aviation. This allowed him to attend and participate in airshows all over the country in many different types of Warbird aircraft. Bill also served the aviation community as a Director of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the EAA Warbirds of America, and the EAA Aviation Foundation. He served on the board of directors of the National Biplane Association and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. Bill was Chairman of the EAA Museum Committee and served two terms as President of the EAA Warbirds of America. He served many years as Chairman of Public Relations for Warbirds of America and was a speaker and interviewer for Warbirds in Review at the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Bill participated in "the world's fastest motor sport", the Reno Air Races, racing in the unlimited division for 4 years. He served 3 years as President of the Unlimited Division of the Reno Air Races and served on the Air Race Ethics Committee. He was honored to be given many awards in Aviation including EAA Warbirds Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Aviator of the Year in 1995. Bill may be best known in aviation circles for his donation of the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" to the EAA and for serving as its Chief Pilot, flying it on tour for many years. Having been qualified in such a variety of aircraft, Bill would often fly for photographers and filmmakers. In 1998 he was a winner of a Telly Award for his work in producing the program "Keep 'em Flying", for ESPN. Bill is survived by his best friend and wife of 35 years, Charlotte (nee Daly), daughters Catherine Reed (Chris) of Houston, TX; Juliet Shane (Steve) of Arlington, VA; and Kelly Drake Walters (Rich) of Owasso, OK. Sons Richard Harrison (Shae) of Atlanta, GA; Dr. Richard Drake (Ainslie) of Tulsa, OK; Robert Drake (Michelle); and Brian Drake, of Owasso, OK. He was Grandaddy to Tory and Michelle Harrison, Brian and Patrick Reed, Samantha and Andrew Shane, Benjamin and William Harrison Drake, Jacob Edens, Rylie and Rinzey Walters, Cheyanne and Olivia Drake, and Cooper Drake. He was an only child but he is survived by Carol and Tom Murray, Claudia and Tom Powers, John and Kathy Daly, Jim Daly and Michael Clendenin, all of whom he considered his brothers and sisters. Bill was preceded in death by only 19 hours by his best friend, Nicky King, who died from ALS. A Celebration of his life will be held August 10th at 6:30 pm in the hangar of our home on Gundy's Airport in Owasso, OK; We are honoring his request to remember him with fun and laughter. Please call or send a direct message if you have questions regarding travel, accommodations, exact location of the hangar, or any other concern. We are looking forward to remembering him surrounded by those who loved him. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to The ALS Association, American Cancer Society, TCMS Foundation, EAA Warbirds of America and CurePSP.

William Earl Harrison, Jr

November 2, 1933 - June 24, 2019