Ryan Michael Willis was one of two men who died in a small plane crash in Descanso overnight Wednesday.
Willis, who was flying with 15-year-veteran pilot David Alan Derby, 77, was a pilot himself, as well as a commercial diver, “but of all the hats Ryan Willis wore, nothing was more important to him than being a husband and a father,” his wife, Krista, said in a statement.
Willis was 36 years old and had a two-year-old son, Hank.
Krista Willis also called her husband an “adventure enthusiast, traveler, loyal friend, dedicated son, [and] humble talent.”
The plane left from Gillespie Field in El Cajon on Wednesday but did not return that evening as expected.
Hours after the plane failed to return, a plane making a steep descent was spotted via radar by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
“Words cannot express the amount of heartache and grief felt,” she added.
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The family is asking all donations be directed to their Go Fund Me page to support his wife and son.
