William Oakes Scholes

William Oakes Scholes of Rathdrum, Idaho, was born on March 10, 1939 to Edward Burnham
Scholes and Laurel Oakes Scholes. He died on January 8, 2019 after a courageous battle with
prostate cancer.

He married Glenis “Gay” Tuson on April 27, 1963 in Kellogg, Idaho. Together, they raised their
three children, Amy (Mark) Jones, Shannon (John) Wallner and Andy (Molly) Scholes. They have
six grandchildren, Kyle, Clay, Jack, Emily, Emma and Ellie.

Bill graduated from Preston High School, Preston, Idaho in 1957, where he lettered in multiple
sports. He attended the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, on a football scholarship, played
basketball, joined Air Force ROTC and was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He
graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1961 and remained a devoted Vandal all of his
life. He later graduated from Western State University, College of Law in 1978.

He was commissioned a 2nd LT on June 11, 1961 in the United States Air Force. He attended
pilot training class 63F Webb AFB, Texas and Laredo AFB, Texas and received his pilot wings
March 27, 1963. He was assigned KC-135 tankers at Westover AFB, Massachusetts August 1963
to March 27, 1967. He was promoted to Captain and Air Craft Commander and also served as a
Standards Check Pilot.

On May 1, 1967, he started flying for United Airlines. He flew the DC-6, DC-8, B-727, DC-10,
B-737, and B-747. He was an active member of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and served
as the Vice Chairman of the Los Angeles council. He proudly represented the pilots' union
during the United strike of 1985 and successfully fought to restore the jobs of five pilots fired
during the strike. He retired on April 1, 1999 as a Captain and Certified Check Airman, having
also served as a Management Pilot and Chief Pilot at the Los Angeles (LAX) and Honolulu (HNL)
domiciles.

Bill enjoyed his life with Gay for 56 years. They traveled the world and hiked in some interesting
places. He was a life-long athlete, enjoying snow skiing and golf into 2018. He loved being with
his family, enjoying good food, boating and being around airplanes. Bill had a fun sense of
humor, was a terrific storyteller, and had a true love for his country and family.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, February 17, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Palm Desert
Community Presbyterian Church 47-321 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Vandal Scholarship Fund in honor of Bill
Scholes, U of I Gift Administration, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3147, Moscow ID 83844-3147.

.

Sunday, February 17, 2019
2:00 PM

Community Presbyterian Church
47-321 CA-74
Palm Desert, CA 92260

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