Born in California in 1918, Bill grew up in Arizona and by the age of sixteen took his first solo flight. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, he tried to enlist in the Civilian Pilot Training Program but was turned down because he was missing two teeth. He then signed up with the Royal Air Force (RAF), was sent to England to fly against the Nazi Lufwaffe. He joined the 4th Fighter Group once America entered the war, and while flying a mission near the French and German border in 1944, his plane was downed. Edwards spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war. After the war, he had a number of command and leadership positions, both in the United States and abroad. After twenty-six years, Lt. Colonel Edwards retired from the Air Force in 1968. He spent more than ten years as a defense contractor before returning to Colorado Springs, Colorado to begin his career as a flight instructor. He was active in teaching for twenty-five years, and in 2001 was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame and part of the RAF Eagle Squadron contingent inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. As a member and eventually president of the Eagle Squadron, it was Bill who was responsible for choosing the USAF Academy Library as the Eagle Squadron Association's official archives for its log books, papers, and photographs. Col. Edwards died of cancer in 2009.
From the description of Wilson V. (Bill) Edwards collection, 1938-2008. (US Air Force Academy). WorldCat record id: 744462322
