One of Delmarva's most well-known and beloved icons has decided it's time to retire.
Capt. Willie Dykes was first introduced to Delmarva as the pilot of Chopper 16 back in 2005. Over the past 15 years, Capt. Willie has taken viewers on amazing journeys in the air, and on land and sea for our Outdoors Delmarva show, numerous Chopper 16 aerial specials, and through our Proud to Serve segments showcasing locations and landmarks across Delmarva.
Capt. Willie is a Delmarva native and is originally from the Snow Hill, Md., area. After graduating from Snow Hill High School, he attended the University of Maryland for two years of pre-veterinary medicine, then left to join the U.S. Army. A Vietnam veteran, Capt. Willie flew Hueys and Cobras with the First Calvary Division in Vietnam from 1968-70. After the military, he continued to fly and flew commercially in the western U.S., Asia, Alaska, Canada and Central America.
Capt. Willie attended the Maryland State Police Academy and flew for a hospital-based air ambulance in North Carolina. Just prior to coming to WBOC, Capt. Willie was a contract pilot for NASA at Wallops Island missions.
Capt. Willie is a genuine slice of Delmarva, who seems to know everything. He has always been a reluctant "rock star." When he joined WBOC in 2005, at first he didn't want to be on the air. But that's eventually where he ended up, first in Chopper 16, and then on shows like Outdoors Delmarva.
Capt. Willie's last day is Friday, Oct. 2.
All of us at WBOC wish Capt. Willie and his wife Rhonda all the best!
