| Sir William Pillar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 February 1924 |
| Died | 18 March 1999 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1942 - 1984 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir William Thomas Pillar GBE KCB (24 February 1924 – 18 March 1999) was Chief of Naval Support and a member of the Admiralty.
Educated at Blundell's School and latterly at the Royal Naval Engineering College, Pillar joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1942 during World War II.[1] Having served in Korean War he was promoted to Captain in 1966 and was appointed Assistant to the Director-General, Ships in 1970 and Commander of the Royal Naval Engineering College in 1973.[1] Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1976, he was made Port Admiral at Rosyth and then Assistant Chief of Fleet Support.[1] In 1979 he became the first Royal Navy engineer officer to be Chief of Fleet Support and in 1982 he became Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies.[1] He retired in 1984.[1]
On retirement from the Royal Navy he became Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Jersey.[1] He was also Commodore and later Life Vice-Commodore of the Royal Navy Sailing Association,[2] a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron,[1] President of the Royal Navy Modern Pentathlon Association and a Knight of St. John.
In 1946 he married Ursula Ransley; they had three sons and a daughter.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir James Eberle |
Chief of Fleet Support 1979-1981 |
Succeeded by Sir James Kennon |
| Preceded by Sir Robert Freer |
Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies 1982–1984 |
Succeeded by Sir Michael Gow |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir Peter Whiteley |
Lieutenant Governor of Jersey 1985 – 1990 |
Succeeded by Sir John Sutton |