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William E. McKell papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8582

Content Description

Contains various materials from and about McKell's time at the United States Air Force Academy. Includes pamphlets and instructions handbooks and manuals, and a fabric map of Europe, as well as two VHS tapes and an LP record on the Air Force during World War II. Dates approximately 1942-1991.

Dates

  • 1942-1991

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the William E. McKell papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

William E. McKell (1919-2007) was an industrial education professor and educational administrator in Utah.

William Ellsworth McKell was born on December 21, 1919 in Spanish Fork to Robert Dewey and Mary Ellsworth McKell. He attended Payson High School and Brigham Young University. In 1941 he joined the United States Air Corps, and served in World War II as the pilot of a Flying Fortress. In 1942 he married Freda Eliza Leifson, and they eventually had five children. While flying in Europe in 1943 his plane was shot down, and he remained in a German prisoner-of-war camp in 1945. After the war he continued his studies, receiving a bachelor's degree from Utah State University, a master's degree from Texas A & M University, and a doctorate of education from Utah State University. McKell spent his career in education, both as a teacher and administrator. He began teaching in high schools in Santaquin and Payson, Utah, and at Spanish Fork Junior High School. He also served on the faculty at Brigham Young High School in Provo, Utah. He then worked as an administrator at the Utah State Office of Education and Granite School District. He finished his career at Brigham Young University, where he taught in the Industrial and Vocational Education Department. After retiring, McKell and his wife served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as director of the Idaho Falls Temple Visitor's Center. He had also served in the Church as a bishopric member and a branch president. McKell died on October 5, 2007 in Provo, Utah.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

1 oversize folder (0.02 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Donated in 2014, initially to add to prior materials from 2006 on William E. McKell.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; 2014.

Appraisal

20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy 5. VII, August 2007.

Related Materials

Additional information on the World War II and U.S. Air Force experiences of William E. McKell may be found in the William E. McKell papers (MSS 2350, series 8, subseries 2, box 32, folder 15, Saints at War Collection), and the William E. McKell collection on campus engineering buildings (UA 5571).

Processing Information

Processed; McKinley Griffin, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; October 30, 2015.

Title
Register of William E. McKell papers
Status
Completed
Author
McKinley Griffin
Date
2015 October 30
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States