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Biography

R. Wayland Williams

Overview

  • Born
    September 21, 1922 · Ottumwa, Iowa, USA
  • Died
    September 9, 1997 · Pasadena, California, USA (prostate cancer)
  • Birth name
    Robert W. Williams
  • Nickname
    • Bob

Mini bio

  • The television movie "The Tuskegee Airmen" was written from his war experiences and later picked up by studios. The character played by Laurence Fishburne was based upon Mr Williams.

    According to information from Fort Des Moines, Robert flew 50 combat missions from Italy with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group of the 15th Air Force.

    The pilots had to fight racism just to risk their lives fighting America's enemies, the display says. According to historic documents in use at the time, the display said, black people would not make good soldiers. When a desperate military finally let the men fly escort missions, they were so successful that bomber pilots would request only the red-tailed P-51 Mustang fighter planes to guard them from the enemy.

    Williams was awarded, among other medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross. Williams was confirmed as having shot down an enemy plane in 1944. The following year, he shot down another one.
    - IMDb mini biography by: Wez

Family

  • Spouses
      Joan Roberta Moore(1952 - September 9, 1997) (his death, 3 children)
      Joan(1952 - September 8, 1997) (his death, 3 children)

Trivia

  • He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Presidential Distinguished Unit Award.
  • He had 3 children with his wife, Joan, Daughters Angela R. Williams and Robin Williams Wood. Son Robert Adan Williams aka "Chip.".
  • He was a member of the 100th Squadron, part of the 332nd Fighter Group that also included the 99th Squadron.
  • He was a president of True Image Productions.
  • He had a brother, Jon C Williams of Thousand Oaks, CA.

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