Wally Funk died Wednesday night at 87 in Grapevine, Texas, surrounded by loved ones, the city said.
In 2021, Funk fulfilled a lifelong goal by flying on Blue Origin’s first human New Shepard mission at 82, becoming the oldest woman to travel to space.
Her career stretched back to the 1960s: she joined the Mercury 13 in 1961, became the first female flight instructor at a U.S. military base in 1960, and later became the FAA’s first female field examiner and flight inspector.
More than 3,000 pilots trained under Funk, who logged over 30,000 flight hours and was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2024.
Grapevine leaders called her a beloved resident whose legacy still inspires young people—especially girls—to pursue science, aviation and space exploration.
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Wally Funk (1939–2026): Legacy of a Trailblazer in Aviation and Space Exploration
Overview
Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator and spaceflight trailblazer, passed away on July 8, 2026, at the age of 87 in Grapevine, Texas. Her death marked the end of an extraordinary era and prompted an immediate outpouring of tributes, with the City of Grapevine leading the acknowledgments. Funk devoted over seven decades to aviation, establishing herself as one of the world’s most accomplished female pilots. Her legacy is celebrated for breaking barriers and inspiring generations, as highlighted by the heartfelt responses and recognition she received following her passing.