[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING WILMA MUSGROVE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, pioneer aviation wife and South Dade 
avocado farmer, Wilma ``Billie'' Musgrove, died on March 6th in the 
arms of her son at the age of 86 after suffering several strokes. Born 
of Dutch parents in Holland, Michigan, she celebrated Tulip Time and 
the sand dunes and beaches of Lake Michigan. She caught the eye of 
aviator Lester E. Musgrove and married him when she was 16 years old. 
She followed her barnstorming husband across the United States to air 
shows, wing walker exhibitions, air races and crop-dusting jobs. While 
Lester served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the start of WWII, Billie 
raised their son, Bob, in Grand Rapids and worked their new property in 
South Dade.
  After the war, the couple started their Redland avocado grove and 
they watched Bob grow to become a pilot. Billie purchased an air boat 
to hunt in the Everglades and enjoyed preparing feasts from her catches 
for family and friends.
  Billie had a great love of the organ and piano which led her to 
entertain at Sunniland's Flame Restaurant and Homestead's Capri 
Restaurant with big band era favorites. A great joy was her immediate 
past presidency of South Florida's Organ Belles club and Light Aircraft 
Flyer's Association. Travels around the world added to her wonderful 
life.
  Billie touched many lives and leaves great memories with those who 
were fortunate to know her. She will be sorely missed but always 
remembered with love. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family for 
their tremendous loss.

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