Noyes W. (Nockey) Willett III died Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
Noyes was born August 23, 1924 to the late Noyes W. Willett Jr. and Gladys Helm Willett. He graduated from Clifton High School in 1941, and entered Texas A&M University, majoring in Electrical Engineering. In 1943 he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. He worked part-time as a technician in the Communications Shop providing technical service to Radio House, the college radio production and training studios at UT.
In 1946 he entered the military and was transferred to the Air Force. He was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington as assistant chief engineer for Air Forces Information and Public Relations, Radio Section. In 1947 he returned to UT Austin and Radio House.
On May 24, 1952 he married Florence Spencer. They made their home in Austin.
In the early 1950s the University built KUT-FM and Nockey served as chief engineer. Also in the 1950s, studios were built and equipment installed for television production. All such services were brought together as the UT Communications Center. He was Assistant Director and Chief Engineer of the Center, the position he held until his retirement.
Public television broadcasting for Central Texas was organized under a public corporation, Southwest Texas Public Broadcasting Council, which contracted with UT and the Communications Center to construct and operate its studios in San Antonio and Austin. His time was divided and he also served as Vice President in charge of engineering of the Council. KLRN signed on in 1962. To house these projects and its School of Communications, the University built a 200,000 sq. ft. Communications Center. He was heavily involved in the design of the building and was responsible for the design, purchase and installation of its equipment.
Nockey was a 60+ year Master Mason, Austin Lodge No. 12. In addition to membership in the various professional societies, he was Chairman of the Texas State Agency Television Advisory Council. When the Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare began to consider funding of Public TV projects, Nockey was a member of the committee chosen to write guidelines for equipment eligible for Federal funding, and later helped screen and evaluate applications for funding.
He served as chairman of the engineering committee of the Southern Educational Communications Association, the 16 state regional non-profit broadcasting group, and chairman of the engineering committee of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. He was named to the engineering committee of National Educational Television, the forerunner of PBS, which consisted of only five members, including men from Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles educational stations. When PBS was organized, he became founding member of its engineering committee and was active with the committee until he retired. He did the engineering, planning and all FCC liaison and served as volunteer chief engineer for the non-commercial, subscription supported, classical music station in Austin. KMFA-FM has been broadcasting for more than 40 years.
He contributed to the design of other broadcasting facilities, including a television studio at Alice High School in Alice, Texas, a television studio at the Technical Institute in Monterrey, Mexico, and a radio station at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. Nockey proposed program exchange via satellite linkage to serve public TV stations in the 16 state Southern Educational Communications Association, the first utilization of any satellite for scheduled television programs for broadcasting. He served as technical manager and NASA liaison for the project and was invited to give papers before several groups, including the International Communications Society of West Berlin, and the Royal Society of Canada.
On August 31, 1980, Nockey retired from UT but remained with the Southwest Texas Public TV Council until 1982. He was active as a broadcast consultant until 1988, primarily in the design of customized directional antennas for UHF broadcasting. Because of his work in broadcasting, he is listed in "Who's Who in Communications and Media"; "Who's Who in Entertainment", and "Who's Who in Advertising".
In 1968 the Willetts purchased ranch property in Coryell County, used primarily as a weekend retreat. He was active at Pidcoke Methodist Church for many years, and served as Lay Leader, member of the Board of Trustees, and chairman of several committees. In 1998 Nockey petitioned the Texas Public Utilities Commission to instigate Expanded Local Calling in the rural area near the ranch. The Willetts prepared and filed the petitions, documents and exhibits, and followed them through the Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Two years later, in May of 2000, the successful process was completed, allowing telephone service into five surrounding towns to be classified as local calls.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Noyes Willett IV of Austin, TX, and a sister, Betty Willett Nixon of Indianapolis, IN.
He is survived by his wife; one son, James Willett, and one granddaughter, Savannah Pearl Willett, both of Austin, TX; niece, Sally Moore and husband Bruce of Fisher, IN; and nephew, James Nixon and wife Denise of Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Scott & White Foundation Office 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508. Specify Heart and Vascular Research.
Arrangements by Gatesville Funeral Home in Gatesville TX.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on October 16, 2011
Noyes was born August 23, 1924 to the late Noyes W. Willett Jr. and Gladys Helm Willett. He graduated from Clifton High School in 1941, and entered Texas A&M University, majoring in Electrical Engineering. In 1943 he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. He worked part-time as a technician in the Communications Shop providing technical service to Radio House, the college radio production and training studios at UT.
In 1946 he entered the military and was transferred to the Air Force. He was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington as assistant chief engineer for Air Forces Information and Public Relations, Radio Section. In 1947 he returned to UT Austin and Radio House.
On May 24, 1952 he married Florence Spencer. They made their home in Austin.
In the early 1950s the University built KUT-FM and Nockey served as chief engineer. Also in the 1950s, studios were built and equipment installed for television production. All such services were brought together as the UT Communications Center. He was Assistant Director and Chief Engineer of the Center, the position he held until his retirement.
Public television broadcasting for Central Texas was organized under a public corporation, Southwest Texas Public Broadcasting Council, which contracted with UT and the Communications Center to construct and operate its studios in San Antonio and Austin. His time was divided and he also served as Vice President in charge of engineering of the Council. KLRN signed on in 1962. To house these projects and its School of Communications, the University built a 200,000 sq. ft. Communications Center. He was heavily involved in the design of the building and was responsible for the design, purchase and installation of its equipment.
Nockey was a 60+ year Master Mason, Austin Lodge No. 12. In addition to membership in the various professional societies, he was Chairman of the Texas State Agency Television Advisory Council. When the Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare began to consider funding of Public TV projects, Nockey was a member of the committee chosen to write guidelines for equipment eligible for Federal funding, and later helped screen and evaluate applications for funding.
He served as chairman of the engineering committee of the Southern Educational Communications Association, the 16 state regional non-profit broadcasting group, and chairman of the engineering committee of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. He was named to the engineering committee of National Educational Television, the forerunner of PBS, which consisted of only five members, including men from Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles educational stations. When PBS was organized, he became founding member of its engineering committee and was active with the committee until he retired. He did the engineering, planning and all FCC liaison and served as volunteer chief engineer for the non-commercial, subscription supported, classical music station in Austin. KMFA-FM has been broadcasting for more than 40 years.
He contributed to the design of other broadcasting facilities, including a television studio at Alice High School in Alice, Texas, a television studio at the Technical Institute in Monterrey, Mexico, and a radio station at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. Nockey proposed program exchange via satellite linkage to serve public TV stations in the 16 state Southern Educational Communications Association, the first utilization of any satellite for scheduled television programs for broadcasting. He served as technical manager and NASA liaison for the project and was invited to give papers before several groups, including the International Communications Society of West Berlin, and the Royal Society of Canada.
On August 31, 1980, Nockey retired from UT but remained with the Southwest Texas Public TV Council until 1982. He was active as a broadcast consultant until 1988, primarily in the design of customized directional antennas for UHF broadcasting. Because of his work in broadcasting, he is listed in "Who's Who in Communications and Media"; "Who's Who in Entertainment", and "Who's Who in Advertising".
In 1968 the Willetts purchased ranch property in Coryell County, used primarily as a weekend retreat. He was active at Pidcoke Methodist Church for many years, and served as Lay Leader, member of the Board of Trustees, and chairman of several committees. In 1998 Nockey petitioned the Texas Public Utilities Commission to instigate Expanded Local Calling in the rural area near the ranch. The Willetts prepared and filed the petitions, documents and exhibits, and followed them through the Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Two years later, in May of 2000, the successful process was completed, allowing telephone service into five surrounding towns to be classified as local calls.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Noyes Willett IV of Austin, TX, and a sister, Betty Willett Nixon of Indianapolis, IN.
He is survived by his wife; one son, James Willett, and one granddaughter, Savannah Pearl Willett, both of Austin, TX; niece, Sally Moore and husband Bruce of Fisher, IN; and nephew, James Nixon and wife Denise of Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Scott & White Foundation Office 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508. Specify Heart and Vascular Research.
Arrangements by Gatesville Funeral Home in Gatesville TX.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on October 16, 2011
Noyes W. (Nockey) Willett III died Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
Noyes was born August 23, 1924 to the late Noyes W. Willett Jr. and Gladys Helm Willett. He graduated from Clifton High School in 1941, and entered Texas A&M University, majoring in Electrical Engineering. In 1943 he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. He worked part-time as a technician in the Communications Shop providing technical service to Radio House, the college radio production and training studios at UT.
In 1946 he entered the military and was transferred to the Air Force. He was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington as assistant chief engineer for Air Forces Information and Public Relations, Radio Section. In 1947 he returned to UT Austin and Radio House.
On May 24, 1952 he married Florence Spencer. They made their home in Austin.
In the early 1950s the University built KUT-FM and Nockey served as chief engineer. Also in the 1950s, studios were built and equipment installed for television production. All such services were brought together as the UT Communications Center. He was Assistant Director and Chief Engineer of the Center, the position he held until his retirement.
Public television broadcasting for Central Texas was organized under a public corporation, Southwest Texas Public Broadcasting Council, which contracted with UT and the Communications Center to construct and operate its studios in San Antonio and Austin. His time was divided and he also served as Vice President in charge of engineering of the Council. KLRN signed on in 1962. To house these projects and its School of Communications, the University built a 200,000 sq. ft. Communications Center. He was heavily involved in the design of the building and was responsible for the design, purchase and installation of its equipment.
Nockey was a 60+ year Master Mason, Austin Lodge No. 12. In addition to membership in the various professional societies, he was Chairman of the Texas State Agency Television Advisory Council. When the Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare began to consider funding of Public TV projects, Nockey was a member of the committee chosen to write guidelines for equipment eligible for Federal funding, and later helped screen and evaluate applications for funding.
He served as chairman of the engineering committee of the Southern Educational Communications Association, the 16 state regional non-profit broadcasting group, and chairman of the engineering committee of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. He was named to the engineering committee of National Educational Television, the forerunner of PBS, which consisted of only five members, including men from Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles educational stations. When PBS was organized, he became founding member of its engineering committee and was active with the committee until he retired. He did the engineering, planning and all FCC liaison and served as volunteer chief engineer for the non-commercial, subscription supported, classical music station in Austin. KMFA-FM has been broadcasting for more than 40 years.
He contributed to the design of other broadcasting facilities, including a television studio at Alice High School in Alice, Texas, a television studio at the Technical Institute in Monterrey, Mexico, and a radio station at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. Nockey proposed program exchange via satellite linkage to serve public TV stations in the 16 state Southern Educational Communications Association, the first utilization of any satellite for scheduled television programs for broadcasting. He served as technical manager and NASA liaison for the project and was invited to give papers before several groups, including the International Communications Society of West Berlin, and the Royal Society of Canada.
On August 31, 1980, Nockey retired from UT but remained with the Southwest Texas Public TV Council until 1982. He was active as a broadcast consultant until 1988, primarily in the design of customized directional antennas for UHF broadcasting. Because of his work in broadcasting, he is listed in "Who's Who in Communications and Media"; "Who's Who in Entertainment", and "Who's Who in Advertising".
In 1968 the Willetts purchased ranch property in Coryell County, used primarily as a weekend retreat. He was active at Pidcoke Methodist Church for many years, and served as Lay Leader, member of the Board of Trustees, and chairman of several committees. In 1998 Nockey petitioned the Texas Public Utilities Commission to instigate Expanded Local Calling in the rural area near the ranch. The Willetts prepared and filed the petitions, documents and exhibits, and followed them through the Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Two years later, in May of 2000, the successful process was completed, allowing telephone service into five surrounding towns to be classified as local calls.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Noyes Willett IV of Austin, TX, and a sister, Betty Willett Nixon of Indianapolis, IN.
He is survived by his wife; one son, James Willett, and one granddaughter, Savannah Pearl Willett, both of Austin, TX; niece, Sally Moore and husband Bruce of Fisher, IN; and nephew, James Nixon and wife Denise of Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Scott & White Foundation Office 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508. Specify Heart and Vascular Research.
Arrangements by Gatesville Funeral Home in Gatesville TX.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on October 16, 2011
Noyes was born August 23, 1924 to the late Noyes W. Willett Jr. and Gladys Helm Willett. He graduated from Clifton High School in 1941, and entered Texas A&M University, majoring in Electrical Engineering. In 1943 he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. He worked part-time as a technician in the Communications Shop providing technical service to Radio House, the college radio production and training studios at UT.
In 1946 he entered the military and was transferred to the Air Force. He was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington as assistant chief engineer for Air Forces Information and Public Relations, Radio Section. In 1947 he returned to UT Austin and Radio House.
On May 24, 1952 he married Florence Spencer. They made their home in Austin.
In the early 1950s the University built KUT-FM and Nockey served as chief engineer. Also in the 1950s, studios were built and equipment installed for television production. All such services were brought together as the UT Communications Center. He was Assistant Director and Chief Engineer of the Center, the position he held until his retirement.
Public television broadcasting for Central Texas was organized under a public corporation, Southwest Texas Public Broadcasting Council, which contracted with UT and the Communications Center to construct and operate its studios in San Antonio and Austin. His time was divided and he also served as Vice President in charge of engineering of the Council. KLRN signed on in 1962. To house these projects and its School of Communications, the University built a 200,000 sq. ft. Communications Center. He was heavily involved in the design of the building and was responsible for the design, purchase and installation of its equipment.
Nockey was a 60+ year Master Mason, Austin Lodge No. 12. In addition to membership in the various professional societies, he was Chairman of the Texas State Agency Television Advisory Council. When the Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare began to consider funding of Public TV projects, Nockey was a member of the committee chosen to write guidelines for equipment eligible for Federal funding, and later helped screen and evaluate applications for funding.
He served as chairman of the engineering committee of the Southern Educational Communications Association, the 16 state regional non-profit broadcasting group, and chairman of the engineering committee of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. He was named to the engineering committee of National Educational Television, the forerunner of PBS, which consisted of only five members, including men from Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles educational stations. When PBS was organized, he became founding member of its engineering committee and was active with the committee until he retired. He did the engineering, planning and all FCC liaison and served as volunteer chief engineer for the non-commercial, subscription supported, classical music station in Austin. KMFA-FM has been broadcasting for more than 40 years.
He contributed to the design of other broadcasting facilities, including a television studio at Alice High School in Alice, Texas, a television studio at the Technical Institute in Monterrey, Mexico, and a radio station at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. Nockey proposed program exchange via satellite linkage to serve public TV stations in the 16 state Southern Educational Communications Association, the first utilization of any satellite for scheduled television programs for broadcasting. He served as technical manager and NASA liaison for the project and was invited to give papers before several groups, including the International Communications Society of West Berlin, and the Royal Society of Canada.
On August 31, 1980, Nockey retired from UT but remained with the Southwest Texas Public TV Council until 1982. He was active as a broadcast consultant until 1988, primarily in the design of customized directional antennas for UHF broadcasting. Because of his work in broadcasting, he is listed in "Who's Who in Communications and Media"; "Who's Who in Entertainment", and "Who's Who in Advertising".
In 1968 the Willetts purchased ranch property in Coryell County, used primarily as a weekend retreat. He was active at Pidcoke Methodist Church for many years, and served as Lay Leader, member of the Board of Trustees, and chairman of several committees. In 1998 Nockey petitioned the Texas Public Utilities Commission to instigate Expanded Local Calling in the rural area near the ranch. The Willetts prepared and filed the petitions, documents and exhibits, and followed them through the Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Two years later, in May of 2000, the successful process was completed, allowing telephone service into five surrounding towns to be classified as local calls.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Noyes Willett IV of Austin, TX, and a sister, Betty Willett Nixon of Indianapolis, IN.
He is survived by his wife; one son, James Willett, and one granddaughter, Savannah Pearl Willett, both of Austin, TX; niece, Sally Moore and husband Bruce of Fisher, IN; and nephew, James Nixon and wife Denise of Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Scott & White Foundation Office 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508. Specify Heart and Vascular Research.
Arrangements by Gatesville Funeral Home in Gatesville TX.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on October 16, 2011
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