Maddux Airlines
Presented by Ryann Willis
Saturday February 21, 11AM
Writing a memoir based on family history can be an extraordinary adventure, one I highly recommend undertaking. My just-completed manuscript is based on my grandfather, an aviation pioneer, who died when my father was only four years old. Like many who have written family-based stories, I initially did not set out to write a full book.
My inspiration came from my grandmother. When she passed away at ninety-nine, I inherited her collection of never-before-seen photographs, articles, and an extensive array of newspaper clippings. What began as a casual attempt to learn more about my ancestors for a short Shutterfly project turned into an eight-year journey of discovery.
Whether our experiences with family are positive or negative, family often serves as the cornerstone of our lives, with each family being unique in its own way, shaped by its history, traditions, and shared experiences. Filling in the gaps of the past can be both challenging and rewarding. Every story, every discovery, can provide unexpected insights into our own journeys. Delving into the past can also lead to family myths being shattered and uncomfortable truths being revealed. Yet, the truth can also bring liberation, freeing us from the burden of the unknown. While working on the book, I learned that my grandfather was not only an airline founder but also a World War I submariner, so if you’re thinking about writing about your forebearers, I say damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead.
Ryann Willis is the granddaughter of airline pioneer Jack Maddux and the first cousin of Senator John McCain. She graduated from UCLA and is a former employee of Apple, Inc., as well as the owner of a successful art dealing and appraisal business. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Aero Club of Southern California, where she also holds the position of Historian. Additionally, she is an active member of several aviation organizations, including the NAA, the Society for Aviation History, and the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
