Private graveside services will be held for retired Capt. Charles Yancy Van Trease, 81. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Mr. Van Trease died Jan. 11, 2010.

He was born July 11, 1928, in Fort Worth, the son of Charles and Marion Van Trease.

He was a pilot for much of his life, earning his pilot’s license at age 16 in Memphis, Tenn. He crop-dusted in the valley, was a skywriter for Pepsi Cola and was a DC-3 cargo pilot before being hired by TransWorld Airlines in 1955. He retired from TWA on Dec. 31, 1986, after nearly 30,000 lifetime flight hours.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Doris Mae; three sons, Buck Austin Van Trease, Raleigh Houston Van Trease and Clint Dallas Van Trease; a daughter-in-law, Wendy; and three grandchildren, James Austin, CeCe Tyler and Billie Kaye Houston.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Julian Owen Mestermacher; and a son, Stephen Austin.

Memorials may be made to UsTOO, an education and support program for prostate cancer patients, at www.ustoo.org or by mail to UsToo International Inc., 5003 Fairview Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

Arrangements by Harrell Funeral Home of Austin.