Dennis Walter Willie

Dennis W. Willie, 91, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, in Kings Grant House, Virginia Beach, VA. Mr. Willie was born November 15, 1921, in Frankfort, SD, and was the son of the late Walter Frank and Catherine Meier Willie. After graduating from high school in Webster, SD, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a pilot and First Lieutenant in World War II. While stationed in Edenton, NC, he met and married the former Helen Mansfield. After the war, they settled in Hackensack, NJ, where he continued his work as a pilot. He was a captain for Seaboard World Airlines and its successors, Flying Tigers and FedEx, for most of his career. Moving to Virginia Beach 19 years ago, he lived most of that time at First Colonial Inn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a half-sister, Virginia Anderson, and by twin brothers, Eldon J. and Marvin J. Willie. Surviving are Helen; their three daughters and their husbands, V. Ann and Stephen W. Burke of Virginia Beach, Carol R. and Andrew P. Lanza of Braselton, GA, and Denise H. and Harvey N. Schonwald of Brooksville, FL; his half-sister, Lois Filipek of Redfield, SD; brothers and sister, Ben Willie of Eagle Grove, IA, Frances W. Trout of Elkhart, IN, and Robert J. Willie of Ralston, NE; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A private graveside service was held Monday, June 17, in Beaver Hill Cemetery, Edenton. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, 740 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 (www.vbrescuefoundation.org), any chapter of the American Cancer Society, or to one's favorite charity. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.