William Bradford Hastings, 91, died Nov. 13, 2010, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach.
He was born in Long Meadow, Mass., and lived in Vero Beach, formerly of Fort Lauderdale. During World War II he was a lieutenant commander in the Navy, serving as an experimental test pilot; he was the first to fly the Corsair, Hellcat and Wildcat airplanes.
He graduated from the Wharton School University of Pennsylvania class of 1941.
He studied law at the University of Virginia.
He built Admiralty Yacht Storage and Repair Corp. in Fort Lauderdale and was instrumental in the beginnings of Bradford Marine.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Susan; daughters, Martha Hastings, of Hyattsville, Md., and Constance Hastings, of San Jose, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Church, 1901 23rd St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at Community Church Chapel. Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
