The Eagle has flown home. On August 7, 2024, God called Captain Willis "Sonny" Logan, "Intrepid Airman", to come home.

Willis Raymond Logan, Jr., of Hickory Creek, Texas, was the son of Dora Coffee and Willis Raymond Logan Sr., and was born in Denton, Texas, on November 15, 1927. Willis had an older sister, Anita. As a little boy and for the rest of his life, Willis was called "Sonny". He also had a pet rooster named "Smarty". At just four years of age, Sonny's mother died, and he went to live with his aunt and uncle, Eva and Allen Campbell, in Oak Cliff, Dallas. Eventually, Sonny's father remarried and the family moved to Amarillo.

From a young age, Sonny was awestruck by airplanes and dreamed of one day becoming a pilot of big airplanes. To Sonny, this was the stuff of dreams. So as a child, he built airplanes out of apple crates and attempted "flights". Then, in the late 1930s, he encountered the great Tex Rankin and later recalled:

"I met a famous flyer, Tex Rankin at English Field. He owned the most beautiful Ryan ST that I ever saw. The Ryan was a two place, open cockpit classic and all shiny aluminum. I polished that bird for four hours to get a 15-minute ride. The work was well worth it. Tex did loops, rolls, chandelles and everything the airplane could do. I loved every second. I was in my element and my chosen future. We soared high in the beautiful blue sky, above a layer of clouds. Familiar features were visible below and between the puffy cumulus. There is a line where the upper atmosphere becomes a world of tranquility and close to God. Experiencing this new dimension, above all terrestrial strife, I felt protected and secure in God's sky domain. Thinking in slow motion, I have relived that flight many times. I can still recall the graceful rolls and loops in complete silence and feel the same exuberance, excitement, and thrill of the moment, one more time."

Then at the age of 15, Sonny moved to Borger, Texas, to live with his sister, Anita, where he developed his flying skills to earn a glider pilot's rating. On the day Sonny turned 16, he received his pilot's license. He didn't even have his driver's license yet! In order to continue to build flying time, Sonny flew everything he could in West Texas.

After graduating high school, Sonny joined the United States Marine Corps and fought in WWII. As a 1st Lieutenant, he traversed the terrains of North China, Manchuria, and Mongolia to help repatriate those who so desired. Soon after, Sonny qualified for the United States Air Force. At long last, his dream of piloting the big airplanes of the future was at hand. In 1951, he graduated in the first Air Force Aviation Cadet class in the B-25 Advanced Flying School at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and later promoted to Captain. Assigned to the Strategic Air Command, Sonny served in Korea flying B-29 bombers. For his service, Sonny received many distinguished military awards including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Expeditionary Force Medal, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. During his military career, Sonny completed several survival training programs including combat, ocean/shipwreck, desert, and wilderness survival.

WWII had ended and Sonny had finished his military service. It was the beginning of the 1950s. Sonny was in West Texas and sought work as a crop duster pilot. The desire to finally fly those big, commercial airplanes he so admired beckoned at his soul. He flew and flew so he could achieve his goal. Finally, in 1954, he became a copilot for Trans World Airlines. While at TWA, he flew the Martin 202, 404, DC-6 and the Constellation 049 through 1049G. True to who Sonny was, he didn't stop there. He aimed to fly even bigger planes, especially the four engine airplanes which, to him, was the penultimate. Thus, once more, Sonny traversed not just the terrains across the lands, but across the skies of the world as a commercial pilot. He flew for Trans-Texas Airways, Texas International, and Continental Airlines. He would often recall the stories of when he piloted a Trans-Texas DC-3 with passengers at low altitude over the Texas Hill Country and would autograph a styrofoam cup and throw it out the window to land - literally - on his rancher friends below. Some of his most famous passengers included Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Senator John Tower, who joined him in the cockpit.

Sonny was a pilot of legends. Over the course of his time in the air, he logged over 35,000 flying hours. He held Air Transport Ratings including a DC-3, Convair 240, 340, 440, 600, 640 and the DC-9. A Colonel in the Confederate Air Force, Sonny also held memberships in the Doolittle Squadron, the Quiet Birdmen, the Air Line Pilots Association, as well as the Continental Golden Contrails.

Not only was Sonny a pilot, but his genius was further demonstrated in his ability to build multiple experimental airplanes. In turn, Sonny rose to accept the roles of Technical Counselor and Chapter President for the Experimental Aircraft Association. His personal aircraft included a Piper J3 Cub, PA-18 Super Cub, PA-20 Pacer, PA-28 Cherokee, Cessna 120, 140, 150, 170B, 177B, 180, 310J, 310R, Mooney M20E, Beech 19A Musketeer, Bonanza 35 and a Murphy Rebel.

One of his chief accolades was having his name inscribed in the Wall of Honor at the National Air and Space Museum Stephen F. Udvar Hazy Center, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.. There, along the sides of the entrance walkway, stands a wall of airplane wings in crescendoing take off positions. And there… impressed upon one of such wings, in bold letters is his name, proudly among the world's aviation legends. Captain Willis "Sonny" Logan.

Sonny's love for aviation always kept him skyward. But the full dynamic of who Sonny was, the skies nor land could hold alone. So, to the seas Sonny set to explore; to follow his fascination of the undersea world. And here, some of the truest treasures that live amongst the deep are his many stories down below. Sonny became certified as a Diving Instructor. He won the free diving spear fishing championship for the Southwest Council of Diving Clubs. He was President of the Southwest Council for several years.

His leadership soon expanded to national organizations. During the 1962-63 season, Sonny was elected vice-president of the Underwater Society of America, in charge of scuba competition. And as his expertise knew no bounds, he was commissioned to write the diving manual for the Southwest Divers Instructors Program. To be so good, that he actually wrote the book! On top of this, Sonny also authored multiple articles for "Skin Diver" magazine.

Sonny's professional acumen juxtaposed with his jovial nature led him to relationships with all kinds. One of whom he counted as a friend was the worldwide sea explorer, Jacques Cousteau. Sonny loved to watch Cousteau's classic TV series as well as "Sea Hunt" and "Adventures in Paradise". Other stories of scuba diving include creating his own waterproof case around his camera and filming around the coral reefs of Cuba, just prior to the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Sonny would scuba dive in deep water off of South Padre Island where he'd land his plane on the beaches and hunt in 500-year-old sunken Spanish galleons.

Sonny also owned a scuba diving store in North Dallas. When the opportunity came to raise funds to place a statue of Christ similar to the one in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Sonny used his authorship in the scuba magazines to draw attention to the endeavor. Soon after, Sonny had successfully raised the amount needed and the famous "Christ Under the Sea" statue was nestled in the waters off of Key West.

Then, there was the ranch, north of Little Elm, Texas. Sonny with his longtime airline flying buddy, Bailey Gordon, purchased "Fox Hill Farms" to manage a 100-200 head herd of Black Angus cattle and multiple horses. The amazing Sonny somehow already knew the fine techniques of branding a cow and castrating a horse.

However, Sonny's mind was eager to learn even more. With Sonny's interest in justice and the law, he decided to take on a new venture: to become a civil attorney. So, Sonny returned to SMU, his alma mater, to begin his studies. He would take courses in his time off from Texas International Airlines (and studied occasionally during flights in the cockpit).

But life sometimes takes an unexpected turn. In 1972, Sonny and his wife of 20 years, Wanda Burns Logan, were involved in a fatal car accident in which Wanda perished. Sonny's eyesight was so severely damaged that it was to the point of disability. His beloved commercial flying career was over.

There was a time of recovery for Sonny. He had to pick up the pieces and pursue a new career. Sonny returned to SMU and completed his law degree to become a civil attorney. Upon passing the Texas Bar Exam, Sonny joined a law partnership in Dallas where he practiced law until he retired in January 1992. His law partner, Ed Gray, became one of Sonny's life-long friends.

Also, during his time in the legal sector, Sonny became a City Councilman for Lake Dallas/Hickory Creek. He was a judge and in 2022, the Hickory Creek Magazine counted Sonny as a local hero.

Sonny was often referred to as a "Renaissance Man". He could do or fix anything. He owned at least two of everything. Because of his love for building and flying experimental airplanes, for 50 years he enjoyed a hangar full of airplane stuff. Hanging out in the hangar was always fun, when it wasn't too hot.

He could talk his way out of any jam and rig any system. "Fulcrums and levers," he would say. "Fulcrums and levers." He knew how to shoot any gun, as he probably had one of each in his house at some point. He became a Winchester Rifle dealer and loved attending gun shows. Sonny collected coins, stamps, fine art… and just about everything else. You could ask him if he had a pull wagon somewhere, and he would say "What color?". You could ask Sonny just about any question and he knew the answer.

In the past year, he built a self-charging, solar powered, Lithium battery prototype for his 1998 Pleasure-Way Class B RV. His van was the love of his life which he customized to be top-notch for all his travels throughout the Continental US. Sometimes, he'd travel in his RV to his cabin property, "Tres Eagles", which is adjacent to the Choctaw Nation land in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma. Sonny loved learning about the old ways of the Choctaw and was intrigued by their culture.

Sonny, especially to his family, was referred to as our "Eagle". Even at 96, with his eyesight fully recovered, he could see objects perfectly from long distances with his eagle eyes.

And, boy, could Sonny tell a joke! His joyous sense of humor and his laugh fill many of our memories. Pretty much every time he and his family ate at a local Hickory Creek establishment, each restaurant owner heard a new or used joke every time he showed up. His easy, melodious laugh could melt your heart - especially while watching his favorite Peanuts character, Snoopy, lick Lucy's face. Or watching Wile E. Coyote, attempt once more to outwit the Road Runner. Plus, if you weren't on guard, Sonny would surely steal your cookies. Zap! Where'd they go? "Not me…", he would say with a chuckle. He was quick.

Sonny loved music, movies, and classic TV shows. The Broadway musicals - "Camelot" (especially the song "If Ever I Would Leave You"), "The King and I", "West Side Story", and "Phantom of the Opera", were his favorites. His sides nearly split with laughter when the family took him to see the musical, "Young Frankenstein". He enjoyed songs by Karen and Richard Carpenter: "Superstar", "We've Only Just Begun", and "Close to You". He loved Glenn Miller's big band music, and anything patriotic.

Anyone who knew Sonny knew he loved the stories of the Old West. The show "Gunsmoke", or anything with John Wayne were amongst his favorites. Sonny was also a paid extra in the movie, "The Long Riders", and made a very brief appearance in "The Hellfighters", with John Wayne. Frank Capra's classic film, "Lost Horizon (of Shangri-La)", was also a favorite. He watched every classic Western TV show ever made over and over.

And this Renaissance man could write. Sonny wrote poetry, screenplays, and countless books. His mind was always going with ideas. Every morning, right after breakfast, Sonny was at his computer writing away. Sonny was proud of the way he could set a goal and see it through. Each time he started a new book, he pushed himself to finish it. Sonny was even working on a new story the night of August 6th. Every day, Sonny's wife, Gloria, would say how amazing he was. He'd spend his evenings reclining in his easy chair, wrapped in his blanket, working on his computer or running through new concepts for a book, and all the while watching Gunsmoke re-runs. He was ever the creator.

Sonny rejoiced in his family:  his wife, Gloria Burgin Logan, his children with Wanda, Pamela,
Bobby and Larry, and Gloria's girls, Kaye, Alissa and Renee.  He had a very special bond with
Pam's husband, son-in-law, Sam.  Sonny loved his grandchildren:  Candice, Christopher, Shellye,
Jacob, Page and Carter, and Gloria's grandchildren:  Stefanie, Danny, Micah, Stetson, Tim, Matt,
and Nate.  He also enjoyed his times with their spouses/significant others:  Josh, Julie, Joey, Lore,
John, Sasha, Ricky, John, Craig, Michael, Kathleen, Ann, Meghan, and Carrie.  Sonny's legacy
continues in his great-grandchildren:  Adelaide, Hawk (named after eagle-eyed Sonny), Jackson,
Alexis, Luke (who carries the Logan surname), Emily, Jaxson, Mya, Rae Lynn, Makayla,
McKenzie, Olivia, Nolan, Virginia, Maryn, Griffin, and Gallagher.

Sonny loved rafting with his nephew Jack and visiting with his cousin, A.D. Campbell. Sonny was surrounded by many loved ones when he passed peacefully.

Above the life of adventure and accomplishment, Sonny always lived in the moment. But this wasn't just dumb luck - it was Providential. God had a unique way of guiding Sonny through life, but He always looked after him. Sonny stood firm in his faith and turned it all in to obey what he felt to be true… "All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Jesus he freely gave," as the song says. Sonny used to sing this hymn and would often laugh about how "Someone up there is just crazy about me". For a man who nearly became an astronaut, to soar through the skies, to someone who survived countless brushes with death…he was on God's perfect flightpath.

Sonny passed away as he lived - ever looking up; answering the call to soar into the skies. He will forever live in the hearts of his family and friends and through the many stories he lived. There are a few pages left to finish this, his last chapter; and it is to bear witness of not just the adventure of Captain Sonny Logan, but to the testament of the man.

We honor the man who sought to discover his "first love," Revelation 2:4, and hold onto his discovery and knowledge of God's blessed assurance. To the man who on "some glad morning when this life is over," will fly away……Who will "soar upon Eagle's wings; who will run and not grow weary and who will walk and not faint," Isaiah 40:31. "Some glad morning when this life is over; I'll fly away; To a home on God's celestial shore; I'll fly away."

Sonny left a treasure trove of his beautiful writings, which will forever encourage our hearts. And for all of his life events, adventures, and explorations, Sonny has, as he did on Earth, taken the hand of God and now accepted the call to join Heaven's glory in the Greater Story: Sonny's greatest mission. And just as quick as Sonny was on Earth, he too, left with speed and devotion, surrendering all to Jesus to see the mission through.

Before his "freedom flight", though, in 2009, Sonny was given a near-death experience to test his faith and his readiness to fly Heaven-bound. He recounted seeing all of his planes, the B-29, the 737s, the fighter jets, as he walked down an aisle between them. A light ahead drew him… and then he realized "Ah, hell, I'm dying!". With that, he instinctively knew he was not ready; for he felt he was not right with God. Sonny knew, should he get to return, he had to get right with God. And return he did. And getting right with God, Sonny did. He now fully knew God's peace: "the peace like a river" that resided in his heart. He was sure of it. He sang about it. He wrote about it. So, when that day of August 7, 2024, came… Sonny was ready. He accepted the mission to come aboard the Greatest Story and to live in eternity with His Savior and God. It is just like Sonny, who "survived nearly every dang thing", to return with vigor, to be vivacious eternally in ways we'll only know in time.

A favorite quote of his we remember… a quote from the film based on Leonardo da Vinci: "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." So, fly onward, Sonny. Fulfill your calling and receive your reward: "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever," Galatians 5:22.

And as we look on to Sonny's "Freedom Flight", as we, his cloud of witnesses from earth…

We can say that Sonny Logan traversed the regions of old.

We can say that Sonny swam to the depths of the oceans.

We can say that he soared across the heights of the horizons.

We can, in Sonny's words say: "Oh, to heck with it!" We can just say Sonny conquered the entirety of the earth.

So, fly on, Sonny. Fly… Fly beyond the horizons to the Heavens… To the stars and the moon and the sun. For Earth can no longer hold such a man; only the One who is "just crazy about him."

He always was. He always will be.

So, Soar on Sonny. Soar on.

We love you and as the song says, the one that you sang so gleefully, we join with you.

"Happy Trails to you, until we meet again. Happy Trails to you, keep smiling until then. Who cares about the clouds when we're together? Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy Trails to you, 'till we meet again!"

More words of wisdom directly from Sonny:

Goals

There is some joy in flying

When the skies are clear and blue

There is no thrill in achieving

What anyone can do.

There is great satisfaction

That is mighty sweet to take

When you reach a goal you've set

You only dreamed you'd make.

For the dreaming of a goal to earn

Is the first step to reaching such

And life without ambition

Would not be worth so much.

Inspiration comes from dreams

To which our goals are set

So aim your goals higher

Than your dreams can ever get.

Having a dream and setting a goal

Is inspiring for one to do

But there is no easy substitute

For hard work to make it come true.

Hitch your dreams to a star

And never give in the least bit

For the higher you aim

The higher you hit.

To Those I Love

When I am gone, just release me, let me go, so I can move into my afterglow.

You must not, tie me down with your tears, just be thankful for all the good years.

I gave you my love, and only God knows how much happiness you gave to me.

I thank you, for the love each one of you has shown, but now it is time I traveled alone.

So grieve for me, a little while if you must, then let your grief be comforted in God's trust.

It's only a little while, that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart.

And then when, each of you must travel this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and say Welcome Home.

- Sonny Logan, Intrepid Airman

Donations may be made to:

Boy's Ranch, Founded by Cal Farley

600 SW 11th Avenue,

Amarillo, Texas 79101-3228

https://www.calfarley.org/

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 6 until 8 pm at the Mulkey - Mason Funeral Home, 740 South Edmonds Lane in Lewisville, Texas  75067. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, August 16, 2024, at 11:00 am at Lake Shore Baptist Church, 276 E Hundley Drive, in Lake Dallas, Texas 75065.

For family members, the cemetery service will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Dallas - Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas 75211.  Family should arrive no later than 10:45 am for a brief prayer service, taps and presentation of the American flag.