Captain Pickavance was born Nov. 25, 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Col. And Mrs. W.W. Pickavance, USAF (ret.). Graduating from Texas A&M University in 1968 with a B.S. degree in Marine Transportation, a license as a Third Officer in the Merchant Marines (deck), and a commission as an Ensign, USNR, he reported to flight training school in August 1969. He received his wings in May 1971 and, following A-7 A/B Corsair training in Attack Squadron 125 (VA-125), he reported to VA-93, embarked aboard USS MIDWAY (CV-41).

In June 1974, he reported to VA-125 as a Flight Instructor and in June 1975 he was selected to be the Aide/ Flag Lieutenant to the Commander Light Attack Wing Pacific Fleet. In November 1977, he was assigned to VA-22, where he served as Operations and Maintenance Officer. In August 1979, he received orders to Washington, D.C., as the Aide/Flag Lieutenant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

In March 1981, Capt. Pickavance returned to NAS Lemoore as Executive Officer of VA-113 and assumed command of the squadron in August 1982. In February 1984 he reported to COMLATWINGPAC as the assistant Operations Officer prior to reporting as the First Executive Officer of the Naval Strike Warfare Center at NAS Fallon, Nev. He assumed command of the FA-18 Replacement Air Group (RAG) in March 1986, followed by a tour as Executive Officer of the USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) from august 1987 to March 1989. He then assumed command of the USS MARS (AFS-1) in August 1989, following training in Newport, R.I.

In April 1991, Capt. Pickavance reported to the Naval War College in Newport. Following graduation. He reported to Washington, D.C., as the Executive Assistant and Senior Aide to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) and, following the OPNAV staff reorganization, he remained the EA to the Director of Air Warfare (N88). Capt. Picakavance assumed command of the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) on June 25, 1993.

His personal decorations include two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, four indivdual Air Medals, four awards of the Navy Commendation Medal (three with combat device), the Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam service and Southwest Asia Service medals, and various other campaign and unit awards. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, a Master of Science in Management and is a recent graduate of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government Executive Training Program in National Security.

Capt. Pickavance is married to Nancy Maxine (Hale) of La Marque, Texas. They have two children; a son, William III, who is a college student, a daughter, Christine, and a grandson Chrisian.