The Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame will hold its 12th Annual Gala & Inductions Ceremony Nov. 9. Four people will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, including Milton “Preacher” Brandon, Lt. Col. Herbert W. “Bill” Powley, Rear Admiral Jimmie W. Taylor, and Montill Warren.
Since its inaugural event in 2002, the Aviation Hall of Fame has enshrined 45 men and women who have made enduring contributions to aviation for Tennessee, our nation or the world.
During the past 11 years, more than 5,500 people have attended this formal evening honoring those who have contributed to Tennessee’s aviation history and support for this charitable foundation has grown across the entire state. The Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame is located in the Tennessee Museum of Aviation at the Smyrna Rutherford County Airport.
This year’s inductees include:
Milton L. “Preacher” Brandon (1921 – 2013) of Memphis: For 74 years, Brandon worked at Memphis International Airport where he became the face of Memphis to corporate aviation. Every pilot that ever met “Preacher” Brandon never forgot him. His charisma, his smiles and his brand of customer service made him an icon at MEM. Brandon worked for the FBO, Memphis Aero and its successors, the last being Signature Flight Support before retiring at age 88. The Memphis Aviation Community honored him for his exemplary contributions to the Memphis area in 1998 by inducting him into the Memphis Aviation Legends Hall of Fame.
Lt. Col. Herbert W. “Bill” Powley, USAF (Ret.): Col. Powley is a retired USAF, Vietnam veteran fighter pilot with extensive experience in the F-4, A-7 and F-16. After retiring from the military, he began teaching JROTC classes at Unicoi County High School, in Erwin, Tenn.. He established the Flight Lesson Instructional Grants Helping Teens Program (F.L.I.G.H.T.) which has allowed over 3,900 student passengers to take to the air on orientation flights, more than 40 solo flights, and over 100 service projects while instilling professionalism, work ethic and discipline in the students. His efforts have launched the careers of many students while making a lifelong impact on their lives.
In 2010, he was selected as the recipient of the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Teacher of the Year Award, by the National Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2011 he was selected as the recipient of the Career Contributions to Aviation Award by the State of Tennessee Aeronautics Division and was the first Aviation Person of the Year by the TAHF.
Rear Admiral Jimmie W. Taylor, USN (Ret.): Admiral Taylor served the U.S. Navy from 1958–1991 aboard carriers and flying the F-8 and F-14. He was the First Fleet F-14 demonstration pilot, commanding officer of the first F-14 squadron and participated in the evacuation of Saigon. His specialty was training and served for 10 years as the Chief of Naval Air Training Command (CNATRA) where he commanded the Blue Angels and frequently flew with the team.
He continues flying in civilian and aerobatic aircraft and upon retirement remains engaged in his community with the Chamber of Commerce, community military liaison for ongoing interface with local, and national military activity regarding DOD and Navy programs and initiatives, Rotary Board member, The Golden Eagles, Middle Tennessee Electric, Military Officers Association, and Meals on Wheels.
Montill Warren: Montill Warren is the airport manager at Savannah Tennessee and has devoted her life to the promotion of cadets in the Civil Air Patrol since 1980, served as Director of Tennessee’s Cadet program, organized numerous encampments, and managed National Flight academy. She was appointed to the Savannah-Hardin County Airport Commission and has been the airport manager since 1993. In 1997 she was awarded Airport Manager of the Year and in 2009 received the Career Contributions to Aviation Award
For more information: TNAviationHOF.org
I would like to see Melton A. “Mike” Dover enshrined in the H. O. F. He was A Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam and became a member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. His efforts helped to initiate the Medical Helicopter Transport System in Tennessee. His name has been officially submitted for nomination and He would be found most worthy of the honor.