Lewis County’s New Airport Manager Brings Lifelong Love of Aviation

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After more than 40 years in professional aviation, Willy Williamson says he hasn’t lost his passion for the skies.

“Once you go flying, it changes the way you view the entire world,” Williamson said. “Now you’ve experienced it three-dimensionally. Going through the process of getting a pilot’s license just changes the way you consider everything. You realize what the wind’s doing, you realize what the rain’s doing. It’s a great thing — once you do that, it’s in your blood.”

On April 1, Williamson stepped on as Lewis County’s airport manager, replacing longtime leader Larry Mason. In his new role, Williamson has charge of the two county-owned airports, the South Lewis County Airport near Toledo and the Packwood Airport in East Lewis County.

“Willy was the top candidate,” said Public Works director Josh Metcalf, who conducted interviews for the position alongside a team of county leaders. “He met all the qualifications we were looking for. He’s been in the aviation industry for over 40 years and just answered the questions well. I think he’s gonna be a great asset to the Public Works team, and I think he’s gonna be a pretty easy guy to work with.”

Williamson grew up building model airplanes and took his first flying lesson when he was 12, in Northern California.

“The guy who was the flight instructor was also the airport manager, and I thought, ‘What a great job,’” Williamson said. “And here I am.”

In 1975, Williamson joined the Coast Guard, where he worked as a mechanic and air crewman. At the height of his military career, he served as the assistant chief of air operations for the Pacific area. Following his career in the Coast Guard, Williamson went on to work in emergency management on the East Coast, before taking a job as an airport manager in Massachusetts.

When Pearson Field Airport in Vancouver needed a new manager, Williamson jumped at the chance to move back to the West Coast. He oversaw operations at Pearson for 11 years, before resigning last July and doing some aviation consulting. He decided to apply for the Lewis County job because a passion for rural aviation, and because he sees potential in the county’s airports.

“It gives me a challenge,” he said. “There’s enough work here that needs to be done that I think I’m going to be able to do a really good job for the pilots and the county and make sure everything works together.”

County commissioner Gary Stamper, whose district houses both county airports, said he’s hopeful the facilities can be a community asset that can help promote development.



“We’re looking at making sure we’re not only preserving our airports, but also looking for some vision there to see what we can do to bring some economic growth,” he said. “We need to look at all options there to see how we can make it more profitable.”

Williamson said he has lots of ideas for the airports, particularly the one in Toledo, which has a long, wide runway, clear approaches and room to expand. The airport is also getting a new taxiway as part of a project that will begin soon.

Several county leaders also noted the airport’s proximity to a new industrial site being developed in Winlock. Williamson he wants to focus on improving hangar space, and added that there’s potential for flight school activity or even minor manufacturing at the Toledo airport site. New technologies like drones and electric airplanes have made aviation a “wide open” industry with lots of potential, he said.

“I’m hoping that we get more use out of our airports so that it will attract businesses here, so they know they can fly out of our airports,” said county commissioner Edna Fund.

The years of experience Williamson brings to the job could help make for a more seamless transition, following the airports’ shift from the oversight of the county’s Community Development department to Public Works.

“It allows me to do my job,” Metcalf said. “He’s got enough experience with the (Federal Aviation Administration) and (Washington State Department of Transportation) to be able to take the lead on those conversations. He knows the people there, he already has those relationships.”

In addition to attracting economic growth and ensuring regulatory compliance, Williamson said he wants locals to feel welcome at the county’s airports.

“I want to make this a very inviting airport for the community as well as other aviators,” he said. “Everybody, kids, adults, senior citizens should have the ability to come to the airport and if they’re not going to fly at least see the airplanes in operation. It’s a great bunch of people, generally. Sharing something like this is important.”