Willis F. Chapman, 89 WWII 340th Bomb Group, B-25 Combat/ MTO

January 15, 2002 Willis F. Chapman, 89, an Air Force brigadier general who retired in 1965 as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans at the Air Defense Command, died of renal failure Jan. 14 at Northern Virginia Community Hospital. He lived at the Fairfax at Fort Belvoir.

Gen. Chapman was a native of Jackson, Mich., and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He also attended the National War College.

He served with the Army Air Corps as a communications officer and squadron commander in Hawaii before World War II. During the war, he served with the Army Air Forces as a bomber pilot and group commander in North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Later assignments included research and development posts. He was twice assigned to Paris.

After he retired, Gen. Chapman was director of aerospace programs in Europe for Ling-Temco-Vought Inc. He was also a consultant and patented a process for dealing with oceanic oil spills.

His honors included a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, five Air Medals and a Joint Services Commendation Medal.

He was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Aviation Club, Air Force Association, Order of Daedalians military pilots fraternity, Rotary International, West Point Society, West Point Alumni Association, National Skeet Shooting Association and Army Navy Country Club.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Charlotte Chapel Chapman of Fort Belvoir; a daughter, Patricia Chapman Meder of Annandale; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A daughter, Susan Chapman Middleton, died in 2000.

Willis Fred Chapman