Ernest Herman “Tex” Boullioun, a longtime Boeing Co. executive, died Sept. 24, said his daughter, Sue Cooper. He was 87.

Boullioun was born in 1918 and grew up in Little Rock, Ark. He joined Boeing in 1940, initially working on the B-17 and B-29 bomber programs.

In 1967, he became vice president and general manager of the commercial airplanes division, and in 1972 was promoted to president. He held that position until he retired in 1984.

Boullioun earned the nickname “Tex” when, soon after joining Boeing, he bet a month’s salary that Texas would beat Oregon in a college football game. He won.

Associated Press