An avid pilot and a champion air racer, Bill Sullivan flew P-47s in World War II and served as head of the Kentucky Aeronautics Department for two years. He won the National Championship Formula One Air Racing Silver Trophy in Reno in 1975 and the International Grand Prix trophy in France in 1976. He was elected to the Henderson Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996. He has flown his Bonanza to Alaska on numerous occasions and is a frequent speaker on aviation topics.

Sullivan is the only American to win the International Formula I Air Race in a craft he and his team had built - except for Jimmy Doolittle, who was the first.

Born in Harrodsburg, Ky., on Nov. 1, 1921, Sullivan was a fighter pilot in the 9th Air Force during WW II, flying P-47s in the European theater. He flew a P-51 for many years after the war. As an early Director of the Kentucky Department of Aeronautics (1958-59) he helped shape what has become the largest industry in Kentucky. The aviation industry in 2000 contributed $10.3 billion to Kentucky's economy and supported 129,000 jobs.

In 1975, Sullivan won the National Championship Formula air racing silver trophy in Reno. In 1976, he won the International Formula I Air Race, in LeCastellet, France, in a Cassutt Racer he and his team had built. In 40 years, only Jimmy Doolittle had done the same. In recognition of this achievement, Bill was made an honorary active member of the British Royal Formula Flying Association.

Sullivan is a charter member of the Ohio Valley Aviation Club and was inducted into the Henderson, Ky., Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996. Current with commercial and instrument ratings, he has flown his Bonanza to Alaska 17 times.

Sullivan graduated from Centre College with a B.A. in Economics; he was later honored as an outstanding alumnus. He earned his LLB degree from the University of Kentucky in 1948 and has been a member of the Henderson Bar Association since 1950, serving as president for a term. He has served as a Special Judge for the Kentucky Supreme Court on several occasions and is a lifetime membership by the Kentucky Bar Association with the title of Senior Counselor.

He was a Kentucky State Senator for 20 years, 10 of which as Majority Leader and as President Pro Tempore. As Acting Lt. Governor, 1974, he served as Acting Governor more than 60 times.