07/10/2026
Here’s to Wally!
Grapevine Community Mourns the Passing of Aviation Pioneer, Wally Funk -
The Grapevine community joins family, friends, and admirers around the world in mourning the passing of aviation pioneer Wally Funk, 87, who passed away peacefully last night at home, surrounded by those she loved. Wally was a beloved Grapevine resident whose extraordinary accomplishments and generous spirit left an enduring legacy. The City of Grapevine proudly recognizes Wally Funk, whose extraordinary career has inspired generations by breaking barriers in aviation and space exploration. Funk continues to serve as a global symbol of determination, perseverance, and excellence.
Born on February 1, 1939, she dedicated more than seven decades to aviation, becoming one of the world’s most accomplished female pilots and, ultimately, fulfilling her lifelong dream of traveling to space.
In 1961, Funk was selected as one of the elite women in the groundbreaking Mercury 13 (First Lady Astronaut Trainees) program, where she successfully completed the same rigorous physical and psychological testing administered to NASA’s Mercury 7 astronauts. She ranked among the program’s top performers and outscored many of her male counterparts on several tests. Despite her qualifications, women were not permitted to become NASA astronauts at the time. Funk refused to let those barriers define her career. Instead, she forged an extraordinary path through aviation, becoming:
• The first female flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
• The first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• The first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
• A flight instructor who has trained more than 3,000 pilots and logged more than 30,000 hours of flight time.
• An airline transport pilot, flight examiner, aviation educator and internationally respected aviation safety expert.
On July 20, 2021, Funk’s lifelong dream finally became reality when she launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-16 mission with Jeff Bezos and fellow crew members. At age 82, she became the oldest woman ever to travel to space, earning a Guinness World Record and becoming the only member of the Mercury 13 to reach space. Throughout her remarkable career, Funk received numerous honors, including:
• Induction into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame (2024).
• Induction into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame.
• Induction into the Mercury 13 Hall of Fame.
• Guinness World Record as the oldest woman in space.
• Stephens College Alumna Achievement Award, becoming the youngest woman to receive the honor.
• Oklahoma State University’s Outstanding Female Pilot Trophy.
• Flying Aggie Top Pilot Award.
• Two consecutive Alfred Alder Memorial Trophy awards.
• Recognition as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America.
• Honorary Colonel of Louisiana.
• Will be posthumously inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
The City of Grapevine has long celebrated Funk’s accomplishments, proclaiming Wally Funk Day and honoring her as one of the community’s most distinguished residents. Her induction into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame further cemented her legacy as one of Texas’ greatest aviation pioneers.
“Wally Funk’s unwavering determination proves that dreams have no expiration date,” said Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O’Dell. “Her courage, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire young people—especially girls—to pursue careers in science, aviation, and space exploration. Grapevine is honored to call Wally Funk one of our own.”
From soaring through the skies to making history among the stars, Wally Funk’s remarkable journey reflects the pioneering spirit that defines Grapevine and continues to inspire people around the world.
