Funeral Tuesday for aviation leader Bill Hutt

A funeral service for aviation business leader William O. "Bill" Hutt is set for 1 p.m. May 13, 2008, at St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville.

Mr. Hutt died May 5, 2008, at his home in Genoa. He was 69.

He was born April 24, 1934, in Eads, Colo. He spent his childhood and early teen years in Rye, Colo., living life as the quintessential American cowboy.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-63. While serving on the USS Saratoga, Mr. Hutt developed a passion for aviation and became a pilot.

He taught flight school in the Reno-Tahoe area through the University of Nevada, Reno, at Stead Airport. He continued aviation instruction at the AG Aviation Academy in 1966.

During his distinguished career in private aviation, Mr. Hutt was a dedicated and talented pilot who expertly flew many types of aircraft. He signed on as chief pilot of a Falcon 50 jet and flew a diverse clientele that included presidents, kings, executives, prime ministers, athletes, Hollywood celebrities and corporate officers. His honesty, expert service and straight-forward management style became legend in the industry.

Mr. Hutt moved to Minden in 1974, and he and his wife Jonna founded Hutt Aviation in 1978.

They grew the business into a successful fuel based-operation on the principle that they treated everybody with the same respect, whether clients, vendors or employees.

After nearly 30 years, the Hutts retired in 2005, and built a home in Genoa where he was able to return to his cowboy roots, caring for a wide range of animals, something he loved nearly as much as flying.

Mr. Hutt was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Jean Young and Joyce P. Hainer.

He is survived by his wife Jonna of Genoa, son and daughter-in-law Bill L. and Jody Hutt of Gardnerville, stepdaughters Teya Cantwell of Genoa and her husband David, and Jennifer Stafford of Dallas and her husband Matthew, sisters Joann O'Dell of Tekhama, Neb. and Phyllis Reifschneider of Carmichael Calif. Mr. Hutt is survived by grandchildren Cameron Hart, James, Aidan and Sarah Cantwell and his beloved dog Talu.

Burial with military honors is to follow the funeral at Mottsville Cemetery. Walton's Douglas County Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.