Soloy Corporation was founded by Joe Ivar Soloy, a visionary innovator and pioneer of the skies and of the rugged wildlands. Joe Soloy was born August 27, 1925 in Bengaugh, Saskatchewan to Norwegian immigrant parents. He was raised in Kent, Washington where his independence was nurtured by his rural surroundings. While he has always identified with his Norwegian roots, his allegiance and his pride was in being an American. He served his country in WWII as a radar man on a Coast Guard frigate in the Aleutian Islands. After the war, he returned to Kent to marry his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Adele Speck.

Fascinated since childhood with flight, Joe earned his wings in airplanes and later helicopters. His intelligence, idealism, and imagination drove him to blaze new trails in several frontiers from the Antarctic to the Arctic, flying the bush in Alaska for many years. He founded Soloy Corporation in 1970 to bring to reality some of his many ideas for better aircraft. He remained Chairman of the Board until he passed away in February of 2004.

Joe's recognition as a Pathfinder at the Boeing Museum of Flight is but one of many honors bestowed upon him as a result of his accomplishments in the aircraft industry. In December of 2003 he was inducted into the National Agricultural Aviation Association Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry. After his passing, the Governor of Alaska decreed February 7 to be "Joe Soloy Day" in Alaska into perpetuity in honor of Joe's role in pioneering that state.

Governor Murkowski's press release

Joe's flight, pioneering, and business accomplishments are recognized internationally, but to his family he was first and foremost a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is missed by all who knew him.