A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Willis, William Alexander
WILLIS. (Captain, 1844.)
William Alexander Willis entered the Navy 24 Aug. 1811; and obtained his first commission 17 July, 1824. His succeeding appointments were – 10 Feb. 1825, to the Glasgow 50, Capt. Hon. Jas. Ashley Maude – 4 Nov. 1828 and 12 May, 1831, to the Cruizer 18, Capt. John Edw. Griffith Colpoys, and Southampton 52, flag-ship of Sir Edw. W. C. R. Owen, both in the East Indies, whence he returned at the close of 1831 – 3 Dec. 1832, as First- Lieutenant, to the Vernon 50, flag-ship of Sir Geo. Cockburn in North America and the West Indies – 25 June, 1833, to the command, on the same station, of the Skipjack schooner – and 4 Sept. 1834, to the President 52, as Flag-Lieutenant to Sir G. Cockburn. He attained the rank of Commander 30 Oct. 1835; was appointed in that capacity, 13 Dec. 1841 and 3 Nov. 1842, to the Jaseur 16 and Frolic 16, on the Mediterranean and South American stations; and for his meritorious services in the latter vessel was advanced to Post-rank 15 March, 1844. Capt. Willis was granted a pension for wounds 29 April, 1845. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.