Donald Edgar Wills, "Don" - 1922 to 2003

= NOTE: This page is very much "Work In Progress" =

Don in British Air Ferries uniform

Don in his RAF days

Don travelled to many countries including the Far East and he was also involved in the atomic testing in the Pacific. He flew a range of aircraft, Spitfires, Hurricanes, Harvards, Mustangs (his favourite), Wellingtons and had a short time on Lancasters. He was stationed at the end of the war at RAF Molesworth flying Mustangs and one of his greatest thrills was to fly low over Newton, looking for his father in the fields. He was reported for this exploit.

Don's RAF Career.

Then when he left the RAF in the late 1950s, Don qualified as a commercial pilot and joined Bristow Helicopters, flying fixed wing aircraft. He spent a lot of time flying for oil companies in Africa. During that time, he was caught up in a coup in Nigeria and was, for a time, held captive by the new regime there. He had a home there and so lost everything he had.

After this he moved to British Air Ferries in Southend. He flew mainly 4-engine Corvairs, his days on Wellingtons had stood him in good stead. He was mostly ferrying cars across to Europe.

In 1987, Captain Donald Wills retired from British Air Ferries at the age of 65, although he was reluctant to retire. Flying had been his life. He had been a dedicated and perfect pilot and very skilled, often under very tricky conditions. All his exploits were often related by Don because he was a wonderful story teller. All his tales were true versions of his life flying and included his many escapades and adventures, scrapes and incidents, all told with great detail, right down to the meteorological conditions, airfields, crew and type of aircraft.

He moved to Kettering but was uneasy about retirement. He met up with a former girlfriend from his teens, Betty, who had been widowed. They became very close and spent a good deal of time together in Kettering and in her home in Connecticut. Sadly, Betty died a few years ago and, naturally, Don was hit very hard by that.

Don was very well known at the Royal Hotel, where he had lots of friends, including some from the RAF. He'd kept in touch with many of his flying colleagues and their families over the years. He always attended the annual reunion of the 39th entry, Number One School, RAF Halton.

Don's sister in law, Pauline, spent a great deal of time nursing Don as his health failed. Near the end he was taken into Kettering General Hospital and then to Cransley Hospice where he died peacefully with Pauline, John and Valerie with him.

So keep him always in your thoughts and conversations, and he will always stay, where he belongs, safe in your hearts. May he rest in peace. This site is maintained by his friends and family in memory of him and his life.

Last Update: 31 December 2007

All content of this web site that has no specific attribution is ©2003-2024 The Family and Estate of Captain Donald Edgar Wills
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