The world lost one of its finest citizens on September 26, 2021, the day that Wilmer Dean (Will) Landon passed away. A member of The Greatest Generation, Will excelled in his roles as warrior, husband, father, breadwinner and friend.
Will Landon was born on February 22, 1923, the son of Dean and Mamie Landon of Russell, Kansas. As a boy, Will helped work the family farm and enjoyed the company of his sister, Isabel, as well as many extended family members. In high school, he played on the basketball team, and was on the same team as his classmate, Bob Dole. Bob Dole later went on to be a senator from Kansas and a presidential candidate. While in high school, Will also co-owned and operated a drive-in café featuring ice cream treats.
Upon graduation, Will enrolled in the University of Kansas. He was at KU when the second World War broke out. On November 14, 1942 at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. After basic training he began training to be a navigator. In July of 1944, along with a freshly trained crew, he flew a newly-minted Liberator B-24 heavy bomber from Lincoln, Nebraska to Warrington, England – a journey which took almost two weeks.
From August 11, 1944 through March 30th, 1945, Will – as member of the 8th Air Force – flew thirty bombing missions, leaving English airfields to bomb targets in Germany and German-controlled Europe. During most of those missions, Will flew on the lead crew. On his 23rd birthday, February 22, 1945, his plane was one of 6,000 Allied aircraft to strike at communications and transportation targets in the heart of Germany.
After the end of the war, Will resumed his studies at KU. There, he became enchanted with a young woman who also happened to hail from Russell. What a match! On August 4, 1946 W.D. Landon and Cleo Rein were married. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Denver, where Will found a job with the Gates Rubber Co., Inc. Two-plus years later, their daughter Emilie was born. Four years later, their second daughter, Barbara was born.
Will found a job as a landman with Midwest Oil Company, and would remain a landman the rest of his working days.
Will and Cleo and family lived an active social life. They were members of St. James Presbyterian Church and became avid golfers and skiers. They had many friends and their Christmas parties were stuff of legend.
Cleo died May 27, 2012 of complications resulting from an accident. Also preceding him in death were his parents and sister, Isabel Williams. He is survived by his daughters, Emilie Landon and Barbara Bennett, both of Denver.
A memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 4, at 1:00 PM at the Eastern Star chapel, 2445 South Quebec St., Denver, CO 80231.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Will’s name to Family HomeStead (familyhomestead.org).
Mr. Landon's link to his WWII DVD (please copy and paste the below link into a search box):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fABIlmoYWUBedeAu-MgZhmwzkBajwkus/view?usp=sharing
To plant a tree in memory of Wilmer D. Landon, visit the
Tribute Store.
4
Nov
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80235
Please meet at Staging area B at 11:15 AM for procession to Shelter B at 11:30 AM.
4
Nov
2445 S Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80231
Services will conclude at the Eastern Star Masonic Chapel. Reception to follow services at the Bennett's.
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80235
