Larry Byerly
Larry B. Byerly is a lifelong Peorian.  He grew up in the family owned aviation business which his Illinois Hall of Fame father, R. Millard Byerly, started on the old grass Mt. Hawley Airport, Peoria, Ill., over seven decades ago.

Byerly has been president of Byerly Aviation since 1968.  He has shown time and time again that his generosity and dedication to the aviation industry are sincere and heartfelt.  Byerly has helped many people obtain careers in the aviation industry who may not otherwise have had the means.

When an individual comes to him with the goal of becoming an A&P mechanic or a pilot, he gives them a job in the line service department.  He assists them with work schedules, flight training and the education required to ensure they achieve their goal.

Byerly is an advocate of college internship programs.  He allows interns, with an interest in aviation, to work for Byerly Aviation in Peoria.  He also finances a scholarship through the aviation program at Southern Illinois University.  Numerous Byerly Aviation employees have continued in their aviation careers to become corporate pilots, airline pilots and maintenance technicians.

Larry Byerly is a respected member of the Peoria community, and the aviation community around the world.

Oliver Boyd Clow
Oliver Boyd Clow started Clow International Airport in Bollingbrook IL, in the 1950s. Through hard work and perseverance he helped the airport become home to a variety of general aviation aircraft.  Warbirds, experimental aircraft, ultalights, helicopters, gliders and wind walkers are all welcome.

Clow is constantly working to improve his airport. Over the years he has been a steadfast advocate for general aviation in Illinois.  If there was someone on the field who could not afford to rent a plane to learn how to fly he would offer the use of his Cessna 150. 

However, there was a time when the pressures of urban sprawl threatened to close the airport, because it was surrounded by land ideal for industrial development. To assure the survival of his airport Clow spent three years developing alternate plans.

He was successful in negotiating to keep the airport open and to create a prosperous relationship with the surrounding community.  All of Clow's accomplishments were obtained without funding by taxpayer money.

He recently donated a Piper Aztec to the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) aviation foundation to aid young aviators in their quest to discover the joys of flying.

To know Boyd Clow is to know flying.  Clow's contributions to Illinois aviation is not in a form that is dramatic, instead, it is a form that is inspiring.

The Moody Brothers
When Charles Lindbergh made his famous flight in 1927, Hunter Moody, the elder of two sons born to farmer Edward Moody and wife Ethel, of Dalton City, Illinois, became fascinated with flight.  At the age of 14 he asked his father if he could take flying lessons.

Hunter soloed after 15 hours and received his instructor rating by the age of sixteen.  He taught his father, younger brother Humphrey and other members of his family and community how to fly.

When the brothers acquired a Tri-motor Ford they barnstormed across the state, selling rides and using a siren to alert the rural town fold of their arrival.  In 1934, Hunter leased the Bearsdale Airport, Decatur, IL, where he offered flight instruction and charter service.

In June of 1939, Hunter tried to break the world endurance record of 218 hours of flying in a light aircraft.  He almost succeeded, but was forced down due to engine failure.

On July 23, 1939, after Humphrey completed his private license, he and Hunter installed a new engine in the plane.  They set out from Springfield Airport in the Miss Springfield to attempt the record once more.  Although forced to land by an electrical storm, the brothers exceeded the record by flying 343:46

With threat of war brewing in Europe, the brothers became flight instructors and prepared cadets for wartime flying missions; both later became captains in the 45th Group of the Royal Air Force. After World War II, Humphrey continued instructing under the GI Bill at Moody Farm Airport, Dalton City, IL until it was closed in 1952.

During Richard Nixon's campaign for president the Moody brothers flew him around the United States.  Overall contributions made by these brothers were many and varied, but founded in a true love of flying.