Willis Swindell

[Dale Barry]

We just lost another one. Derek called me a few minutes ago to say that Willis had died today, apparently from a massive heart attack. Steve Fitton called him and said that they were flying this morning and everything seemed fine. I can't even remember how many years I've known Willis, but this is really going to make the Huntersville contest strange, I don't think ever been there without seeing him and John Tate. I know for sure I'm going to miss him, he was a great guy and always fun to be around.

[John Tate]

Willis Swindell passed away this afternoon at his home. We think at this time from a massive heart attack. Willis was just flying this morning at our midweek flying site with Steve Fitton, Phil Spillman and me. Willis was the kind of person that loved model airplanes and enjoyed being around people that flew control line models. Arrangements are pending.

John Tate
Norfolk Aeromodelers

[Steve Fitton]

We're gonna miss you Willis.  Say hi to Mike for us.

This sucks, I'm really at a loss for words right now.  I can't believe we were all flying together a few hours ago.  When you say "see ya" to your flying buddy and get in the car, you don't really think its goodbye forever...

[EddyR]

I think everone in the southeast new Willis. He was a great guy. First Larry earlier this week and now Willis.
 They both will be missed by at at the Huntersville contest.
Ed

[Will Davis]

We will all miss Willis, usually one of the first to greet you at a contest , Alot of time was spent with Willis under Tent City at Brodak's.

John, Artie,Jimmy , Steve ,Phil and all the other Norfolk Aeromodelers are in our Prayers tonight.

Willis was a very competitive flyer too, attached is the Ringo perpetual trophy for the Top flyer in Advanced at the October Huntersville NC Contest  , he won it in 2008

Will

[wwwarbird]

 Damn. I never got to meet Willis in person, but he was always quick to return information, helpful, and I always enjoyed conversing with him here as an online friend. It seemed like we had some of the same tastes in our modeling. Seemed like a great guy, he will be missed for sure.

 Condolences,

 Wayne

[proparc]

Willis was a great contributor to the 4 stroke forum. Man oh man, we sure are losing a lot of us this year.

[Russell Shaffer]

Willis was an all around nice guy.  I really liked him.  He loaned me airplanes when I was visiting from Oregon.  I'll miss him. 

[Paul Taylor]

I met him him at Brodaks. He was a super nice guy. Sorry to hear this. He will be missed.

[John Stiles]

Dang that makes me sad...... I'll say a prayer tonight for Mr. Swindell[and family] tonight.....and the rest of us old model pilots

[Dennis Adamisin]

This is very sad news.  My prayers for Willis' family

[Bill Sequira]

I don't chime in much at all, but Willis was one of the fellas that taught me to fly along with another missed buddy Mike Garmin and John Tate in 1994. I will miss Willis and always think of him, especially at the field.   

[Phil Spillman]

Willis and I go Back to the early 60's at the Frederick MD contest flying Combat, Rat and later Goodyear. He was a true friend and competitor. Today Willis and I flew at the Hampton Coliseum parking lot. He had made some changes to his P-69 Stunter which he has had flying great lately. He knew that I had some apprehension about the P-40 ARF which I had just rehabilitated so he brought along his Super Clown for me to take along to Cleveland this weekend to use if need be. His planes always flew great modern as well back in the day! He has been a special friend to me in the best possible ways always. After our session this afternoon he and I went for to lunch together and discussed ways in which I may fix my P-40. The lead out pulled out while inverted and it pancaked the parking lot. We parted with him asking me to call him to tell how the contest had gone Saturday! We waved good bye while he went his way and I went mine. Flying and life in general won't be the same without him. As many have said before we only get a set few number of close friends and I just lost one of my closest. God bless you Willis! My warmest and best wishes go out to the Swindell Family with Love always. Heart felt sympathy,

Phil Spillman     

[Bill Ambrose]

To say I am shocked is an understatement.  I am at a total loss for words.  Willis used to come into my Dad's hobby shop when I was a small boy.  I am now 49.  Willis was a super nice guy.  He and I had been exchanging emails and phone calls for the past several months as he helped me rekindle my love for C/L.  He was always more than willing to answer any questions and help in any way he could.  I know what Willis meant to the C/L community.  He was a special kind of guy.  He will be truly missed. 

Godspeed Willis.

Bill Ambrose

[Ward Van Duzer]

Yes, Godspeed Willis.


Ward

[Scott Jenkins]

John Tate,

I feel your pain Willis was a good friend to all and superb modeler and helped Mark Barrows and I on many occasions when we tried a new event. I know he will be missed he was a mainstay in the Norfolk Aeromodelers Club for many years.

Scott Jenkins

[Derek Barry]

 I cannot remember going to to Huntersville without seeing Willis. I have know him for most of my life and I will miss him very much.

[john e. holliday]

This weekis getting to where I wonder about getting on the forum.  I first met Willis years ago at the old Swope Park Flying Circle.  Willis and his partner came to KCMo to get some help with F2C Team Race Planes.  Bill Wright and Jim Dunkin were our mentors.  The circle is long gone and now I find out so is Willis.   I kind of kept track of him thru the years even tho we didn't commicate that much.   He was one of the great ones and will be sorely missed.   

[Phil Coopy]

Willis was a great guy..met him at several meets including Huntersville. My condolences to his family.

Phil

[Eric Viglione]

I met Willis when I first came back to stunt. I drove up to the KOI and saw him flying and thought, what's that cool mellow sound? A 4stroke? Willis was one of the first 4stroke pioneers I remember in our area... OK... then I talked to him...what a cool guy. Willis and his Phoebus with his trusty Saito56 were a regular sight on the contest trail in the southeast.  Willis was one of the good guys and I, along with many others I'm sure will miss the big lug. We all loose when someone like this passes... a sad week indeed.
 
EricV

[wwwarbird]

 I forgot to mention that although Bob Reeves was definitely a lot of help, and also deserving of credit, I have to give Willis most of the credit for making my PBY Catalina stunter the success that it has now become. In '09 I wasted a whole underpowered season messing with the Saito .30's I had originally designed the plane for, and was almost ready to just hang it on the wall. I was really frustrated because flying it I could tell the PBY had good potential. Then I got to talking to Willis with his Heinkel 219 here on the 'Hangar in the Four-Stroke section. Comparing many notes with Willis, I finally decided to bite the bullet and swap the .30's for .40's this past spring. In short, the PBY is now a fully capable pattern ship, and then some. I've been having a blast with it ever since.

 Thank you Willis.

[Will Davis]

Robert Willis Swindell
(Died September 15, 2010)

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PORTSMOUTH - Robert Willis Swindell, 71, of the 4700 block of Viola Terrace passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

He retired as a captain for the Portsmouth Fire Dept. and was a proud Navy veteran.

Willis enjoyed flying his control line airplanes, and was a member of the Norfolk Aero Models Club.

He survived by his wife, Bernadine Swindell; two daughters, Victoria Kelley and husband David and Tia Stout and husband William; a son, Robert E. Swindell; five grandchildren, Robert, Joshua, Alaina, Elizabeth, and Samuel; his beloved cat, “Tiny”; and a host of other friends and extended family.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM Monday September 20, 2010 in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel by Rev. Tom Potter. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 - 4:30 PM.
 
www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com

[Bill Little]

I really didn't know what to say when I read this the other day.  It took a while to sink in.  Willis was always willing to help, he was one of the first guys I met when I came back to C/L flying.  Willis, Mike Garmon and John Tate, all from Norfolk, would always be at the contests I went to.  The old Rainmaker contest, the nights at Will Davis' "Stunt Hotel" until 3 or 4 in the morning.......  Things will definitely not be the same anymore at these meets.  a part of the joy will be gone.

My thoughts and prayers to the family and all of Willis' friends.  Another "friend" we will all miss.

Bill