William 'Bill' R Cutter, who established Cutter Aviation's facility at Pheonix Sky Harbor airport in Arizona, has passed away. He was regarded as the patriarch of the region's aviation community.

A life-long aviation enthusiast, Bill learned to fly sitting on his father William P Cutter's lap and became an ATP rated pilot in fixed wing, helicopter and lighter than air aircraft, along with achieving several jet and turboprop type ratings. As an aviator, he accumulated thousands of hours during his life, with his most recent flying being in his treasured 1944 Beech Model 17 Staggerwing.

Bill, along with his son Will, grew the Cutter Aviation network by opening numerous locations throughout the Southwest. He was honoured at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the New Mexico Military Institute, the Pima Air & Space Museum (Hall of Fame, inducted with his father) and was named 'Man of the Year' by Beechcraft. He also served his country as a member of the US Army.