Willis Albert Oakley, aka “WA5ET,” “Diddar” and “Bill”, was born in Burnet County, Texas to George Albert Oakley and Caroline Carrie Mallett on Oct. 16, 1929.
His father died in 1936, and he was raised by his mother, living in Johnson City and Lampasas. He graduated in 1948 from Lampasas High School, where he participated in the ROTC.
After graduation, Bill enlis...
