Bill J. Hodges, often known as “Billie Joe Hodges,” son of Benjamin U. Hodges and Vera V. Holms, was born in Paris, TX on October 6^th, 1929. He attended San Jose State College, served in the Air Force during the Korean War, and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. Bill married Martha Poynor in Alameda, California on June 14^th, 1957. He was the founder of the International Ryan Club and was the newsletter editor until his death. He began this task in 1963 when he sent out fliers to AAA members inviting them to a fly-in. The weather that day was a freezing mix of ice, rain, and slush. Despite the bleak weather conditions nine members showed up and began forming the Northeast Texas chapter of the AAA and organizing their first fly-in at the grand Prairie Airport on May 25-26^th 1963.

After the formation of the chapter, Bill became the vice president. He spent time writing and publishing a news letter expressing interest in antique aircraft throughout the area. The first fly-in was a massive success with 26 home-built and antique aircraft in attendance. Bill took detailed records of the fly-in and activities of the chapter. He also continued to publish a newsletter and was soon elected president of the North East chapter.

After this Bill proceeded to buy a Stinson 10A and a Fairchild 24. He moved with his family to Ottumwa and worked at the Air Power museum. Next he moved to Oshkosh and worked at the EAA museum before returning to Texas. When he returned to Texas he organized the Ryan Type Club and was elected President and newsletter editor. Bill maintained his chapter’s membership and worked with Norm Justice in hosting a number of fly-ins at Birdnest Airport. At the Denton fly-ins Bill was seen with his scrapbooks containing the histories of all the well-known Ryan Aircraft.

Bill Hodges started with nine members and no flying aircraft to having over two hundred members with over one hundred flying antique and classic aircraft. Bill Hodges passed away on Friday, January 23^rd, 2004 at the age of 75. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Searcy, Arkansas. 

Link to the collection's Descriptive Finding Guide.