11 Facts About Willis Shapley

Willis Harlow Shapley was an American civil servant best known as the third-ranking administrator for NASA during the Apollo program.

Willis Shapley's parents were astronomers Harlow Shapley and Martha Betz Shapley.

In 1942, Shapley began federal government service with the Bureau of the Budget where he worked as an examiner.

Willis Shapley ultimately rose to the position of Deputy Chief of the Bureau's Military Division.

In 1965, Shapley joined NASA as associate deputy administrator, replacing George L Simpson, Jr.

Willis Shapley's responsibilities included the space agency's budget, public and legislative affairs, Department of Defense and other interagency affairs, and international relations.

Willis Shapley retired from NASA in 1975, after which he consulted for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology, among others.

Willis Shapley continued to serve as associate deputy administrator for policy until 1988, when he retired again.

Willis Shapley was a two-time recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal; first in 1969 and again in 1988.

Willis Shapley died October 24,2005, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC, from cellulitis, a bacterial infection.

Willis Shapley is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington.