Clayton Earl Willis

4/24/2019

Good afternoon. I’m David Ward. I am the treasurer of PanAir Flying Club. On behalf of Danny Parker, our Vice president, who could not be here today and the rest of the membership. I have been given the privilege to say a few words, since PanAir meant so much to Clayton and he to us.

I would like to convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to Rachel, Sarah, Emma and the rest of the family. We would also like to thank you for sharing Clayton with the club for so many years.

Clayton started his flying when he was 14. One of his first instructors was Mary Gaffney. For those that do not know her, she was a flying legend. He continued his flying and getting his ratings. He went into the Air Force and was part of the tactical assault force and flew all over the world. We would like to thank him for his service to the country. Amazingly, Clayton has just shy of 75000 hours of flying time in his log book. The Guinness book of records has John Edward Long as the American pilot with the highest record of over 65,000 hours, so Clayton may have beat him! So, Rachel and Sarah, you may want to look into this….

PanAir was founded in 1956 by Pan American Airlines employees to promote leisure time flying and a time to build companionship. It was exclusive to Pan Am employees and their families. Clayton worked for Pan Am and joined PanAir in 1958. He was an active member until 1976 when he and his family moved to New York. He returned to Miami and rejoined the club in 1986. He became president in 1990 and continued in that role to date. He would meet with all the new members and welcome them into the club. He always had a positive attitude, a smile on his face and a warm greeting for all.

Anyway, modest Clayton would never believe himself and say, “Oh Boy”. He has left us to join with his departed friends and family. With all those flying hours, Clayton has surely earned his wings and I am sure he is now flying freely in heaven; truly an aviator’s dream come true…. to fly freely. We will miss him dearly, as we aviators continue searching for that dream. Clayton always stated that at PanAir, “we sell a dream to fly”. We at PanAir club will maintain his legacy as long as God is willing. We salute you for your service to our country, dedicated commitment to the club and thank you for mentoring us, guiding, us and teach us to be safe aviators. Goodbye President Clayton Willis. Until we meet again. We look forward to joining your club, next time in heaven, with our own wings….

From some of the Panair Flying Club members

What a sad news David,
Please send my regards and my deepest condolences to the family.
I won't be able to make it from France.
All the best,
Christian TALLEC
5, rue des Longs Lieux
95470 SAINT-WITZ
Tel mobile : 06 76 75 68 61

Hi Dave, sorry to hear about Clayton. I only met him a couple of times, he was a very kind man who i would have liked to have known better. -Jay

Sorry to hear about Clayton. I remember him as being full of life and good humor. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Dilip

Hello David,
Please express to the family, our deepest condolences and our gratitude for his love for and service to society, especially his aviation family.
Regrettably I will not be in town to do so myself.
Best regards,
Michael and Claudette Batts.

My condolences to his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Raul Bosque

David
Sorry to hear.
An element of a special brand of human is gone to fly for ever.
All the best
I miss flying a lot
Patrick

I am so terribly sad. He has done so much for so many people. Some of the people his leadership supported will never know that he was / is behind so much of what they love. He will be missed greatly by those who knew him and those that may never fully appreciate his contributions spanning decades..Richard Terrelonge
David So sorry to hear this news. I’m praying for comfort and peace for you and his family and friends. I love how you describe heaven with forever blue skies and always smooth air! 🙏

David,
Very much appreciate the notification and please share our deepest regrets with the members. There are many fond memories of things learned and joys experienced.
Jim & Susan Montie
The Villages, FL

Very sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his family and everyone around him.
Regards,
Danny

David,
I am so sorry to hear this. Please extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.
Ryan

David:
Thank you very much for keeping me informed. I always enjoyed flying with Clayton and sharing my flying time with him. He and Olive were very special people. He will definitely be missed.
Best regards,
Al and Teresa Frank

Sorry to hear. Enjoyed the the times I spent around Clayton. Condolences to his family.
Stephen Davenport

Hi David,
I still warmly remember my interview with Clayton for my Panair membership, and the glee when he was climbing into the right seat in one of the Panair Cessna’s to go for a spin! He will be missed. With best regards from up North!
Vince Shankey

Sorry to hear. He will have safe travels forever.
My condolences.
Miguel

What a sad news David!
You are right. He will be greatly missed.
Best regards,
Ivan Rodriguez

Hello David,

Thank you for letting me know. It was my pleasure to have known such a great man. I will wait for updates. Best regards, Suhey Cruz
So sorry to hear about Clayton. I’ll do my best to attend.
Charlie Bible