government
Wally Funk, Texas aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87
By Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87.Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Thursday. O'Dell, who descr...
Key takeaway Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Thursday.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
Wally Funk's passing resonates throughout the Houston area, where her trailblazing achievements in aviation have inspired countless individuals. As a community that values progress and innovation, Piney Point Village and its neighbors can appreciate the determination and perseverance that defined Funk's career. Her experience as a pioneer in the male-dominated field of aviation serves as a reminder of the obstacles that women have faced in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The fact that Funk was able to overcome these barriers and achieve her goal of traveling to space at the age of 82 is a testament to her unwavering dedication and passion. Her legacy will continue to motivate future generations of Houstonians to pursue careers in aviation and space exploration, and her memory will be honored by those who value her contributions to the field.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Piney Point stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87.Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in the Dallas and Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Thursday. O'Dell, who descr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter