Thomasville, GA
Dr. Richard Errol Willes, 70, died Nov. 27, 2004 in Thomasville, GA. He was a Fort Pierce native and resided in Thomasville.
He graduated from Fort Pierce High School in 1952. He attended the University of Florida until his appointment to the Naval Academy in 1953.
During his military career, he completed primary pilot training, basic instructor school, and pilot training in the F-106 fighter plane. He served as an instructor pilot from 1959 until his appointment to the masters program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served for two years as an instructor in the Department of Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy after which he returned to MIT and received his aero and astro doctorate degree while also teaching at MIT. In 1972, he formed Research, Analysis and Development Inc., an aeronautical consulting firm where he functioned as a consultant to both the Air Force and the private sector including Grumman, Lockheed, Rand Corp. General Dynamics and Raytheon. His contributions assisted in the successful completion of the Air Force X-29.
He was the author of more than 50 publications, including "Flight Mechanics, Entry Dynamics Control Theory," a contribution to the Aeronautics and Astronautics section of Eshbach's Handbook.
He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, earning 15 medals including three Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, one Presidential Citation, and one Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
Survived by:
Wife, Jo Ellen
Mother, Marjorie Tylander Willes
Children, Robert Willes, Jennifer Martz, Tylan Willes & Jodi Russell
10 Grandchildren
Preceded in death by:
Father, Errol Shippen and his brother, William Frederick.
SERVICES: A Holy Eucharist Service will be celebrated at 11a Dec. 3 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Friends may call from 10-11a at the church parish hall. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Park with Military Honors. Arrangements are by Yates Funeral Home, Fort Pierce is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Richard Errol Willes, 70, died Nov. 27, 2004 in Thomasville, GA. He was a Fort Pierce native and resided in Thomasville.
He graduated from Fort Pierce High School in 1952. He attended the University of Florida until his appointment to the Naval Academy in 1953.
During his military career, he completed primary pilot training, basic instructor school, and pilot training in the F-106 fighter plane. He served as an instructor pilot from 1959 until his appointment to the masters program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served for two years as an instructor in the Department of Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy after which he returned to MIT and received his aero and astro doctorate degree while also teaching at MIT. In 1972, he formed Research, Analysis and Development Inc., an aeronautical consulting firm where he functioned as a consultant to both the Air Force and the private sector including Grumman, Lockheed, Rand Corp. General Dynamics and Raytheon. His contributions assisted in the successful completion of the Air Force X-29.
He was the author of more than 50 publications, including "Flight Mechanics, Entry Dynamics Control Theory," a contribution to the Aeronautics and Astronautics section of Eshbach's Handbook.
He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, earning 15 medals including three Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, one Presidential Citation, and one Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
Survived by:
Wife, Jo Ellen
Mother, Marjorie Tylander Willes
Children, Robert Willes, Jennifer Martz, Tylan Willes & Jodi Russell
10 Grandchildren
Preceded in death by:
Father, Errol Shippen and his brother, William Frederick.
SERVICES: A Holy Eucharist Service will be celebrated at 11a Dec. 3 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Friends may call from 10-11a at the church parish hall. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Park with Military Honors. Arrangements are by Yates Funeral Home, Fort Pierce is in charge of arrangements.
Thomasville, GA
Dr. Richard Errol Willes, 70, died Nov. 27, 2004 in Thomasville, GA. He was a Fort Pierce native and resided in Thomasville.
He graduated from Fort Pierce High School in 1952. He attended the University of Florida until his appointment to the Naval Academy in 1953.
During his military career, he completed primary pilot training, basic instructor school, and pilot training in the F-106 fighter plane. He served as an instructor pilot from 1959 until his appointment to the masters program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served for two years as an instructor in the Department of Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy after which he returned to MIT and received his aero and astro doctorate degree while also teaching at MIT. In 1972, he formed Research, Analysis and Development Inc., an aeronautical consulting firm where he functioned as a consultant to both the Air Force and the private sector including Grumman, Lockheed, Rand Corp. General Dynamics and Raytheon. His contributions assisted in the successful completion of the Air Force X-29.
He was the author of more than 50 publications, including "Flight Mechanics, Entry Dynamics Control Theory," a contribution to the Aeronautics and Astronautics section of Eshbach's Handbook.
He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, earning 15 medals including three Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, one Presidential Citation, and one Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
Survived by:
Wife, Jo Ellen
Mother, Marjorie Tylander Willes
Children, Robert Willes, Jennifer Martz, Tylan Willes & Jodi Russell
10 Grandchildren
Preceded in death by:
Father, Errol Shippen and his brother, William Frederick.
SERVICES: A Holy Eucharist Service will be celebrated at 11a Dec. 3 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Friends may call from 10-11a at the church parish hall. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Park with Military Honors. Arrangements are by Yates Funeral Home, Fort Pierce is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Richard Errol Willes, 70, died Nov. 27, 2004 in Thomasville, GA. He was a Fort Pierce native and resided in Thomasville.
He graduated from Fort Pierce High School in 1952. He attended the University of Florida until his appointment to the Naval Academy in 1953.
During his military career, he completed primary pilot training, basic instructor school, and pilot training in the F-106 fighter plane. He served as an instructor pilot from 1959 until his appointment to the masters program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served for two years as an instructor in the Department of Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy after which he returned to MIT and received his aero and astro doctorate degree while also teaching at MIT. In 1972, he formed Research, Analysis and Development Inc., an aeronautical consulting firm where he functioned as a consultant to both the Air Force and the private sector including Grumman, Lockheed, Rand Corp. General Dynamics and Raytheon. His contributions assisted in the successful completion of the Air Force X-29.
He was the author of more than 50 publications, including "Flight Mechanics, Entry Dynamics Control Theory," a contribution to the Aeronautics and Astronautics section of Eshbach's Handbook.
He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, earning 15 medals including three Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, one Presidential Citation, and one Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
Survived by:
Wife, Jo Ellen
Mother, Marjorie Tylander Willes
Children, Robert Willes, Jennifer Martz, Tylan Willes & Jodi Russell
10 Grandchildren
Preceded in death by:
Father, Errol Shippen and his brother, William Frederick.
SERVICES: A Holy Eucharist Service will be celebrated at 11a Dec. 3 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Friends may call from 10-11a at the church parish hall. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Park with Military Honors. Arrangements are by Yates Funeral Home, Fort Pierce is in charge of arrangements.
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