James William Banks, known to most as “Captain Billy,” age 90, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026.

Billy was a devoted husband to Sandra for 59 wonderful years until her passing in 2019, and a loving father to Shuri and JoAna.

To say Billy lived a life, many would envy is an understatement.

After graduating from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Florida, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably until his discharge in 1962. Following his military service, he worked as a diesel locomotive mechanic for General Motors. Yet, beneath the grease and gears, was a man with his eyes fixed firmly on the sky.

Determined to fly, Billy began flight training while still working full time. That determination soon lifted him into the corporate aviation world, where he served as a Corporate Pilot for Barnett Banks, Charter Oil Company, and Winn-Dixie Stores. Over the course of his distinguished aviation career, he logged more than 23,000 hours of flight time and earned 16 type ratings. Those who had the privilege of flying with him, consistently said the same thing — he was one of the finest pilots they had ever known.

Billy’s passions didn’t end at 10,000 feet.

He was also an accomplished water-skier and instrumental in helping build one of Florida’s most successful water-ski show teams, The Gatorland Ski Club of Keystone Heights. Weekends were spent not resting, but practicing and coaching young skiers in barefooting, trick skiing, slalom. Most importantly, he taught how to fall, get back up, and try again until you got it right. That lesson extended far beyond the water.

Billy never met a stranger. He formed friendships across the country and around the world and maintained those relationships faithfully through the years. Conversations with Billy rarely lasted just a few minutes — they turned into stories, laughter, and connections that endured.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert “Bob” Banks, and by his beloved wife, Sandra McCullogh Banks.

He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Shuri McSwain (Mike) and JoAna Evelyn Langshaw (Coleman); his granddaughters, Lindsey Shuri Pickett and Jenifer Rene McCarthy (Ryan); and his cherished great-grandchildren, Jackson, Ella, Banks, Kari, and Madison.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fernandina Beach Airport on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 12:30— a fitting place to honor a man who loved the sky.

Rather than flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in Billy’s honor.

We find comfort knowing that Billy’s legacy of courage, mentorship, humor, and unwavering love will live on in the countless lives he touched. His was a life well lived — and well flown.