Background
Sowell, W. R. was born on November 8, 1920 in Chipley, Florida, United States. Son of Claude Tee and Eunice (Richardson) Sowell.
Sowell, W. R. was born on November 8, 1920 in Chipley, Florida, United States. Son of Claude Tee and Eunice (Richardson) Sowell.
Student, Centenary College, 1940—1942. Graduate, Norton Business College, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1942.
Owner Sowell Aviation Company Inc., Panama City, Florida, 1945—1953, president, 1945—1953. Pilot instructor, flying supervisor Southern Airways, Bainbridge, Georgia, 1950—1953. Founder, principal owner, chairman board pilot, instructor Sowell Aviation Company, Inc., Panama City, from 1954.
Chairman board Sowell Aircraft Service, Inc., from 1964. Founder, president, owner Pensacola Aviation Inc., Florida, 1964—1972. Airplane and instrument pilot examiner Federal Aviation Administration, 1946—1979.
Member Panama City Airport Board, 1959—1961, chairman, 1959—1961. Member Florida Governor's Aviation Committee, 1972—1985, chairman, 1977—1979. Served with Air Corps United States Army, 1940-1945.
Member of Bay County Chamber of C. (director 1955-1966, chairman aviation committee 1962-1963), Florida Aviation Trades Association (president 1970-1972, director), National Aviation Transportation Association, Quiet Birdmen, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association, Elks, Shriners, Masons, Rotary.
Married Nadine Martin, September 1942 (divorced February 1971). Children: J. Donald, Doris Dianne, Deborah K., Sheri Denise.