Dr. Bill Bussey
Encyclopedia
Bill Bussey is a dentist
in Longview, Texas
, an avid hot air balloon
pilot and official world record holder in balloon flights. He is the founder of The Great Texas Balloon Race
and the first person to organize a "Balloon Glow" at a public event (1980 Great Texas Balloon Race
) - balloon glows are now a part of hot air balloon festivals and events around the world.
Bussey states how his interest and entrance in hot air ballooning began, "I was skiing in Aspen, Colorado
and saw two hot air balloons tethered on a rugby field and I just sat down in awe!" Bussey says that it was just a few months after that experience that he had his first opportunity to buy and interest in a fellow Texan's
hot air balloon. That investment quickly led to a second investment with three other partners when they bought anew balloon.
Since that beginning, Bussey has logged over 3,000 hours flying hot air balloons. According to Bussey's website, as a competitive pilot he has won 35 championships; has finished in the top 3 in more than 100 events; is a perennial top 10 competitor at the US National Championships, and has represented the US
in World competition three times.
In 1986, Bussey set his first world record. It became a drive and over the years since, he has set 29 US
and 14 World hot air balloon records. A summation of some of the most important record setting flights can be found on Bussey's website.
Bussey's website lists some of his accomplishments;
AWARDS
Notable achievements
in Memphis
. At that time, this dental school and Kentucky
were the only two accelerated programs running year – round. His years there were rewarding and full of memories. While he helped support himself by doing lab work, he had time to be president of the Student American Dental Association and join the Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity. Upon graduation he received the International College of Dentists
award for most outstanding student, as well as other honors. Bussey was strongly impressed by the graduation speech given by Dr. Arthur Guyton, famous author of Medical Physiology. He remembers that powerful speech and the incredible accomplishments of Dr. Guyton. Incidentally, the dean told Bussey that he would never graduate because he did not have sufficient funds for his education, and Bussey says that statement gave him even more determination. The same dean ultimately presented him with the most outstanding student award, and 12 years later, his school loans were paid in full.
Graduation was December 15, 1968 and 2 weeks later Bussey was a captain in the United States Army
Dental Corps. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington, with Mt. Rainier in full view of his dental chair. Over the years he made several ascents of not only this mountain, but also many others over the next decade. The dental clinic allowed Bussey to rotate through most of the specialties of dentistry, and he attributes that beginning as a spring-board towards later success and happiness in his private practice, especially the surgical and prosthetic aspects.
Bussey began fulfilling a lifelong dream of aviation. He began his flying lessons on the very first day of his arrival at Ft. Lewis. He found that this was a most gorgeous place to fly, with all the mountains, the ocean, the islands with the yachts, as well as killer whales. He learned the ability when to say “no, it is not safe to fly” and utilizes that to this day when flying.
After leaving the Dental Corps
in 1971, Bussey opened his practice in Longview, Texas
and has enjoyed what he describes as “a most charmed life”. He practices general dentistry and has been placing implants since 1972. Through the 1970s, he fulfilled his mountain climbing dreams, bought and flew airplanes, purchased a place on Lake Cherokee near Longview, and enjoyed the steady growth of his dental practice. He attributes his later success to the Quest Study Club in Dallas, which he attended for many years. Their motto of “being the best possible dentist achievable” rings loudly even today.
More than thirty years ago while skiing in Aspen, Colorado
, and taking hang-gliding lessons, he saw two tethered hot air balloons. The fascination with the fire, the beautiful fabrics, the wicker, the connection with aviation, and the colorful history of ballooning immediately hooked him. This led to a very distinguished career in hot air balloon events all over the United States. Bussey received the Spirit of Albuquerque Award, and has flown in Japan
, Mexico
, Canada
, and the Middle East
as a guest of the Sultan of Malaysia. For 18 of those 30 years, he maintained a national contract with Stroh Brewery Company
. Bussey has broken 15 world records for distance and duration and 29 United States national records. For these accomplishments he received the Montgolfier Diploma, the highest international award in ballooning, and the Shields-Trauger Award, the highest award in the United States.
In late 2007, he became the only not air balloonist enshrined in the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in Galveston. He was among three new inductees to join the likes of Howard Hughes
, Wiley Post
, Alan Bean
, Gene Cernan, George H. W. Bush
, Tom Landry
, and many World War II
aviators. His long list of accomplishments – competing on the world teams, being a consistent top 10 finisher in the national championships, organizing of the Great Texas Balloon Race
, creating the Balloon Glow now copied around the world, flying underground in Marvel Cave
, and being a Level VIII Master Instructor – dictated his consideration for enshrinement. He now has a permanent display in the Lone Star Flight Museum
. Although today Bussey does not compete as much, he still operates Balloon Adventures USA and offers champagne flights over East Texas
to the general public.
For the last 15 years, Bussey has been keenly involved with NASCAR
and he and his oldest son, Kelly are partners in “The Racing Experience,” which allows the novice driver to pilot a real NASCAR
race car at speeds exceeding 165 mph on tracks such as Talladega
; California; Kansas Speedway
; Texas Motor Speedway
; Atlanta Motor Speedway
; and many others. Bussey explains that “the excitement of driving a high-performance vehicle at those speeds on a famous track is beyond describable. Plus, being able to participate at this level with your son is very special.” He has two other children, Casey Tobin, Ph.D., now living in Wisconsin
, and Zachary Bussey, who just graduated from Texas A&M University
.
Although Bussey has considered retirement, he realized that his dental practice is an absolute pleasure, not work at all, and continues to fill his needs for accomplishment. He has been in practice since 1969, has missed only 2.5 days from illness, and is still extremely enthusiastic. He loves the aspect of treating extended families over the period of four decades and also enjoys that most of his staff have been with him over 20 years. He still strives to be the best possible dentist achievable. That is why he emphatically says that “it just doesn’t get any better than this!”
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
in Longview, Texas
Longview, Texas
Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
, an avid hot air balloon
Hot air balloon
The hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. It is in a class of aircraft known as balloon aircraft. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, the first untethered manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes in a hot air...
pilot and official world record holder in balloon flights. He is the founder of The Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race is held each July near the City of Longview, Texas. It is billed as "The longest running hot-air balloon event in Texas."The Great Texas Balloon Race Story:...
and the first person to organize a "Balloon Glow" at a public event (1980 Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race is held each July near the City of Longview, Texas. It is billed as "The longest running hot-air balloon event in Texas."The Great Texas Balloon Race Story:...
) - balloon glows are now a part of hot air balloon festivals and events around the world.
Bussey states how his interest and entrance in hot air ballooning began, "I was skiing in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
and saw two hot air balloons tethered on a rugby field and I just sat down in awe!" Bussey says that it was just a few months after that experience that he had his first opportunity to buy and interest in a fellow Texan's
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
hot air balloon. That investment quickly led to a second investment with three other partners when they bought anew balloon.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in World competition three times.
In 1986, Bussey set his first world record. It became a drive and over the years since, he has set 29 US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 14 World hot air balloon records. A summation of some of the most important record setting flights can be found on Bussey's website.
Bussey's website lists some of his accomplishments;
- 1978 - 1st balloon flight
- 1978 - 1st balloon championship, Florida Midwinter Festival
- 1986 - 1st World Record flight - AX5 world distance record of 179 miles
- 1988 - #1 ranking with the National Balloon Racing Association
- 1989 - #1 ranking with the Balloon Federation of American
- 1985, 1988, 1995 - member of the US World Balloon Team
- 1995 - Flight of SkyQuest 5SkyQuest 5- Record-setting balloon flight :On February 3, 1995, Dr. Bill Bussey launched an experimental "metal" balloon, and AX-6 hot air balloon, from Chanute, Kansas. By the time the balloon landed outside Savannah it had been piloted , setting records for AX-6, AX-7, AX-8 and AX-9 class hot air...
setting world record for AX6-9 - 1999 - Founding member/director of the North American Balloon Association
AWARDS
- 1988 - Spirit of Fiesta Award - Albuquerque International Balloon FiestaAlbuquerque International Balloon FiestaThe Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a yearly festival of hot air balloons that takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA during early October. The balloon fiesta is a nine day event, and has around 750 balloons...
- 1993 - National Aeronautic Association - 1 of Top 10 Most Memorable Flights
- 1994 - Shields-Trauger Award, Balloon Federation of America for most significant balloon flight
- 1994 - Al Desmond Award for Contribution to Competitive Ballooning
- Guest of King Hussein of Jordan for Champion of Champions Race
- Guest of Sultan of Malaysia for 1st balloon flights ever in Malaysia
- Federation Aeronautic Internationale Awards:
- Silver Badge
- Gold Badge with 2 Diamonds
- Montgolfier Diploma - Highest International Award in Ballooning
- 2007 - Inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame
Notable achievements
- Organized and flew in 1st Underground Balloon Glow and Competition, Marvel CaveMarvel CaveMarvel Cave is a National Natural Landmark located just west of Branson, Missouri, on top of Roark Mountain in Stone County. The cave was known by the Osage Indians in the early 16th century, after a tribe member fell through the cave's main entrance, a sinkhole. There is evidence that in 1541...
, Branson, MO. - Host of 6 one-hour TV Specials on Ballooning for the Travel ChannelTravel ChannelThe Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
and Outdoor Life Network - Driving Instructor for The Racing Experience at 14 NASCAR Tracks around the nation.
Biography
Dr. Bill Bussey worked several jobs such as an apartment manager, post office janitor, waiter, assistant private investigator, and others – before he graduated from the University of Texas with a B.S. degree and headed towards The University of Tennessee College of DentistryUniversity of Tennessee College of Dentistry
The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry is located in Memphis, Tennessee, United States near the intersection of Union Avenue and South Dunlap Street and is part of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center...
in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. At that time, this dental school and Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
were the only two accelerated programs running year – round. His years there were rewarding and full of memories. While he helped support himself by doing lab work, he had time to be president of the Student American Dental Association and join the Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity. Upon graduation he received the International College of Dentists
International College of Dentists
The International College of Dentists is an organization of dentists from around the world who work to improve the profession through sharing and disseminating advances in dental knowledge and who seek to benefit their communities through voluntary service.-Mission statement:"The International...
award for most outstanding student, as well as other honors. Bussey was strongly impressed by the graduation speech given by Dr. Arthur Guyton, famous author of Medical Physiology. He remembers that powerful speech and the incredible accomplishments of Dr. Guyton. Incidentally, the dean told Bussey that he would never graduate because he did not have sufficient funds for his education, and Bussey says that statement gave him even more determination. The same dean ultimately presented him with the most outstanding student award, and 12 years later, his school loans were paid in full.
Graduation was December 15, 1968 and 2 weeks later Bussey was a captain in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Dental Corps. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington, with Mt. Rainier in full view of his dental chair. Over the years he made several ascents of not only this mountain, but also many others over the next decade. The dental clinic allowed Bussey to rotate through most of the specialties of dentistry, and he attributes that beginning as a spring-board towards later success and happiness in his private practice, especially the surgical and prosthetic aspects.
Dental Corps
Dental Corps may be one of several specialist military units:* British Royal Army Dental Corps* Royal Australian Army Dental Corps* Royal Canadian Dental Corps* Royal New Zealand Army Dental Corps* United States Army Dental Corps...
in 1971, Bussey opened his practice in Longview, Texas
Longview, Texas
Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
and has enjoyed what he describes as “a most charmed life”. He practices general dentistry and has been placing implants since 1972. Through the 1970s, he fulfilled his mountain climbing dreams, bought and flew airplanes, purchased a place on Lake Cherokee near Longview, and enjoyed the steady growth of his dental practice. He attributes his later success to the Quest Study Club in Dallas, which he attended for many years. Their motto of “being the best possible dentist achievable” rings loudly even today.
More than thirty years ago while skiing in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, and taking hang-gliding lessons, he saw two tethered hot air balloons. The fascination with the fire, the beautiful fabrics, the wicker, the connection with aviation, and the colorful history of ballooning immediately hooked him. This led to a very distinguished career in hot air balloon events all over the United States. Bussey received the Spirit of Albuquerque Award, and has flown in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
as a guest of the Sultan of Malaysia. For 18 of those 30 years, he maintained a national contract with Stroh Brewery Company
Stroh Brewery Company
The Stroh Brewery Company was a beer brewery located in Detroit, Michigan. In addition to their own Stroh's brand, they produced or bought the rights to several other brands including Goebel, Schaefer, Schlitz, Augsburger, Erlanger, Lone Star, Old Milwaukee, Red River, and Signature, as well as...
. Bussey has broken 15 world records for distance and duration and 29 United States national records. For these accomplishments he received the Montgolfier Diploma, the highest international award in ballooning, and the Shields-Trauger Award, the highest award in the United States.
In late 2007, he became the only not air balloonist enshrined in the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in Galveston. He was among three new inductees to join the likes of Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
, Wiley Post
Wiley Post
Wiley Hardeman Post was a famed American aviator, the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Also known for his work in high altitude flying, Post helped develop one of the first pressure suits. His Lockheed Vega aircraft, the Winnie Mae, was on display at the National Air and Space Museum's...
, Alan Bean
Alan Bean
Alan LaVern Bean is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, and painter. Bean was selected to become an astronaut by NASA in 1963 as part of Astronaut Group 3. He made his first flight into space aboard Apollo 12, the second manned mission to land on the Moon, at the age of thirty-seven years in...
, Gene Cernan, George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
, and many World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
aviators. His long list of accomplishments – competing on the world teams, being a consistent top 10 finisher in the national championships, organizing of the Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race is held each July near the City of Longview, Texas. It is billed as "The longest running hot-air balloon event in Texas."The Great Texas Balloon Race Story:...
, creating the Balloon Glow now copied around the world, flying underground in Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave is a National Natural Landmark located just west of Branson, Missouri, on top of Roark Mountain in Stone County. The cave was known by the Osage Indians in the early 16th century, after a tribe member fell through the cave's main entrance, a sinkhole. There is evidence that in 1541...
, and being a Level VIII Master Instructor – dictated his consideration for enshrinement. He now has a permanent display in the Lone Star Flight Museum
Lone Star Flight Museum
The Lone Star Flight Museum, located in Galveston, Texas, USA, is an aerospace museum that displays more than 40 historically significant aircraft and many hundreds of artifacts related to the history of flight. The museum's collection is rare because most of the aircraft are flyable...
. Although today Bussey does not compete as much, he still operates Balloon Adventures USA and offers champagne flights over East Texas
East Texas
East Texas is a distinct geographic and ecological area in the U.S. state of Texas.According to the Handbook of Texas, the East Texas area "may be separated from the rest of Texas roughly by a line extending from the Red River in north central Lamar County southwestward to east central Limestone...
to the general public.
For the last 15 years, Bussey has been keenly involved with NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and he and his oldest son, Kelly are partners in “The Racing Experience,” which allows the novice driver to pilot a real NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
race car at speeds exceeding 165 mph on tracks such as Talladega
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
; California; Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
; Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
; Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
; and many others. Bussey explains that “the excitement of driving a high-performance vehicle at those speeds on a famous track is beyond describable. Plus, being able to participate at this level with your son is very special.” He has two other children, Casey Tobin, Ph.D., now living in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and Zachary Bussey, who just graduated from Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
.
Although Bussey has considered retirement, he realized that his dental practice is an absolute pleasure, not work at all, and continues to fill his needs for accomplishment. He has been in practice since 1969, has missed only 2.5 days from illness, and is still extremely enthusiastic. He loves the aspect of treating extended families over the period of four decades and also enjoys that most of his staff have been with him over 20 years. He still strives to be the best possible dentist achievable. That is why he emphatically says that “it just doesn’t get any better than this!”