‘PROP WASH’ WAS NAS WHIDBEY’S  ORIGINAL BASE NEWSPAPER

Bill Struthers, 83, was never in the military, but he can sure tell you a lot about Whidbey Island history, including some involving Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

“I probably saw one of the first planes ever take off from the base,” Struthers said. “We used to run outside every time we heard the planes.”

Struthers has lived on Whidbey Island since 1936 and has been in his current home since 1977. He contacted the Whidbey Crosswind after receiving the first monthly issue, saying he had a piece of history he’d like to share.

In fact, he had a copy of NAS Whidbey’s original newspaper, the Prop Wash — Volume five, number 24, dated June 20, 1947. The slightly tattered paper was found among a box of old family  photos, according to Struthers. It features a hand-drawn cartoon of a sailor and a farmer on the cover. While probably not politically correct in today’s world, the drawing was an obvious reference to the newness of the Ault Field base and its location in the bucolic farming community.

“My dad probably picked it up on base,” Struthers said. “He was the first or second civilian employee on NAS Whidbey. He used to guard the construction supplies they used to build Ault Field.”

According to Struthers, his father, Ray, moved from a position as a guard to a job in public works, and spent most of his career there.

For his part, Struthers had little hope of being able to enlist in the Armed Forces. He went down to see the recruiter, but  a childhood bout with polio, which had affected the left side of his body, prevented him from being eligible. While he couldn’t serve in the Armed Forces, he didn’t let his circumstances interfere with living his life. He did a variety of things professionally on the Island, including raising a family (he has six children) and riding horses.

“I was an original member of the Island County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse,” he said.

For two years, Struthers spent his weekends riding the length of the Pacific Crest Trail. He’d load up the horses Friday evening, drive to his starting point, ride for a couple of days, then load up the horses and head home Sunday. He kept repeating the process until he’d covered the whole trail.

“I always said if I had to do it over again, I’d do more of it,” he said with a chuckle.

These days, Struthers is confined to a wheelchair. He doesn’t leave his Frostad Road home often, but he has good company in the form of his dog, Rascal, who keeps a close eye on things. From his living room window, he can see the stands for approach lights for Ault Field, and as we talk, a P-3C Orion flies overhead, making a graceful, arcing turn in the sky.

“Some people complain about the planes,” he said. “I look at the bottom of them as they fly over and I see the insignia (of the U.S. Navy) that’s on ‘em, and I’m glad. Could you imagine what it would be like if there was some different insignia on those planes? Life would sure be different.”

Regarding his long sojourn on Whidbey Island, Struthers is satisfied.

“This place was a good roost,” he said.