Esme Willis

Esme Willis of Cranberry Knoll, Dennis, MA passed away on Monday, June 27, 2016 at age 97. She was born in Edmonton, City of London, England and remained firmly British throughout her life. She began her education at the University of London until the war intervened in 1939. She joined the Air Ministry (Womens Airforce or WAFs, from 1939 to 1945) and advanced to the rank of Technical Flight Officer | equivalent to a Major in the army | and held a top secret clearance for the development of advanced radar systems. She married her husband, Bernard Willis in 1941, who then spent the war years in the Royal Army Service Corps fighting Rommel in the deserts of North Africa. Due to her rank he actually had to salute her when he returned from his overseas duty four years later. The family moved to America in 1957, and then again in 1962 to settle in Bedford, New York, where Esme Willis served as Head librarian of Bedford Free Library. After moving to Cape Cod in 1972, she served as Head Librarian of Sturgis Library in Barnstable from 1973 to 1981. She was a passionate gardener and reader. She is preceded by her son Jeremy, and Bernard Willis, her husband of 52 years. She is survived by her son, Paul B. Willis residing in Altadena, California. A private Celebration of Life event will be held in her memory. Arrangements under the care of Hallett Funeral Home (www.hallettfuneralhome.com)