DALLAS — Bill Cole, 82, lives alone, but a few times a day, he steps onto his balcony to see the apple of his eye and the light of his life: the Dallas Love Field Airport.
“It just brings back a lot of memories seeing those airplanes,” Cole said. “I wish I was still doing it.”
Cole’s adoration for aviation started about 60 years ago when he joined the Air Force, served in Vietnam and then became a pilot for Southwest Airlines. Along the way, he achieved almost all he ever wanted in an airplane.
“I never wanted to jump out of one though,” Cole laughed.
He retired in 2002, but says he could’ve flown much longer if federal regulations hadn’t required him to retire when he turned 60.
“I just really feel blessed that that’s where I wound up with my life was aviation,” he said.
Grounded for the first time in decades, Cole found a new way for his love to take flight. He started volunteering at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, keeping him close to his passion.
Almost as close as his apartment. Cole purposefully chose his location at the Preston of Park Cities because of the view where, all day, he can watch planes take off and land.
When he does, he thinks of all the people fortunate enough to be living their dream.
“I see those airplanes and I say, ‘you lucky dogs, I hope you’re having a good time.’ I really miss that,” Cole said
In other words, if you’re lucky enough to do what you love, enjoy the ride.
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