William T. Seawell, 87; Retired General Headed Pan Am World Airways
William T. Seawell, 87, a brigadier general who commanded the Air Force Academy before a business career that included leading Pan Am World Airways during the 1970s, died Friday of undisclosed causes in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Seawell, a native of Pine Bluff who was a graduate of West Point and Harvard Law School, commanded the Army Air Forces’ 401st Bombardment Group in England during World War II. He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Croix de Guerre with palm awarded by France. He became commandant of the Air Force Academy in 1961.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. May 25, 2005 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday May 25, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 43 words Type of Material: Correction
Seawell obituary -- The obituary for aviation leader William T. Seawell in Tuesday’s California section reported that he took over as head of the Air Force Academy in 1961. Seawell was commandant of cadets, under the superintendent, who was head of the academy.
He retired from the military in 1963 and began to work in commercial aviation as an executive for several leading companies. He became president and chief operating officer of Pan Am in 1971 and was elevated to chief executive and chairman of the board in 1972. Within a few years he succeeded at getting Pan Am, then the world’s largest international carrier, out of debt.
His fortunes changed in 1980, when Pan Am bought National Airlines. The merger was far costlier than expected, and by the first quarter of 1981 the company faced a record $115 million in lost revenue. Seawell retired in early 1982, a year earlier than he had planned.
