Dr. William Greene
(1874-1952)
Dr. William Greene was a renowned pioneer aviator, designer and manufacturer, as well as a medical doctor and dentist. Some say he held an engineering degree as well. A model of one of his early biplanes he designed and manufactured is on display in the Peace River Museum and Archives.
Born to a wealthy San Francisco family, he rivaled the Wright Brothers and Glenn Curtiss for many aviation firsts. According to the New York Sun of 1910, he was one of the first eight men to fly. A year later, he was the first man to fly with three passengers.
He arrived in the Peace Country in 1911, eventually opening a dental practice in Peace River Crossing (Town of Peace River). This, after homesteading at Hudson’s Hope, B.C., where he moved having run out of money to support his aviation interests.
Dr. Greene’s contribution to Peace River was substantial. His community involvement included: drama, figure skating, the Masonic Lodge and the declaration of the Heart River Valley as a game preserve (12 miles from the eastern limits of the Town south) protects fur-bearing animals, birds, and big game.
Dr. William Greene on the Peace Country: “It’s grand country. Mountain sheep to hunt, bears, deer, moose – everything. There’s a whole world to range when you’re in the mood. I can close up the office and go away for months with a tent, some grub and a gun. That’s happiness.”
Dr. Greene died in 1952. His ashes were spread along the Heart River flowing through what is now the Greene Valley Provincial Park named in his honour.
Dr. Greene’s cairn, erected by the Masons, is in the bush at the junction of the Grouard Trail and the road to the 12 Foot Davis gravesite (Range Road 213.9 and Township Road 834.9).
