Background
Wells, Fay Gillis was born on October 15, 1908 in Minneapolis. Daughter of Julius Howells and Minnie Irene (Shafer) Gillis.
broadcaster lecturer writer aviation historian
Wells, Fay Gillis was born on October 15, 1908 in Minneapolis. Daughter of Julius Howells and Minnie Irene (Shafer) Gillis.
Student Michigan State College, 1925-1928.
; 1 son, Linton Wells, World World War II Free-lance correspondent in Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics for New York Herald Tribune and Associated Press, 1930-1934, aviation magazines, 1930-1936. Foreign correspondent Italy-Ethiopian War, New York Herald Tribune, 1935-1936, special Hollywood correspondent, 1937-1938. Contributor book reviews Saturday Review, 1939-1942.
Deputy chief of mission for United States Commercial Company, Portuguese West. Africa, 1942-1946, syndicated boating columnist, 1960-1962.
White House correspondent Storer Broadcasting Company, 1964-1977. Aircraft pilot, 1929.
Designer yacht interiors Alta Grant Samuels, 1958-1962. Now co-chairman International Forest of Friendship.
Honorary co-chairman National Air Heritage Council.
Member commission to select 1st journalist in space, since 1985. Judge of trophy winners National Air Space Museum, 1988.
Member National Association of Female Executives, Daughters of the American Revolution, Aviation/Space Writers Association, American Women in Radio and television (president Washington chapter 1968-1969, Columbia Broadcasting System Charlotte Friel award 1972, Ester Tufty Memorial award 1998, Woman of Year award 2001), White House Corrs. Association (honorary life), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, The Ninety-Nines (founding member, Most Valuable Pilot, Washington chapter 1975, Spirit of Inspiration award 1996), OX5 Aviation Pioneers (Outstanding Woman of Year award 1972), International Society Woman Geographers, Broadcast Pioneers, Zonta International (life honorary), National Aeronautical Association (named elder statesman 1984, Katherine Wright award 2001, Amelia Earhart Festival award 2002), Overseas Press Club (founding member 1939), National Press Club, International Forest Friendship (founding member, co-general chairman since 1976, Fay Gillis Wells Gazebo dedicated 1991).
Married Linton Wells, April 1, 1935 (deceased 1976). 1 child, Linton Wells World War II.