Dr Willard Wheatley remembered as stern educator & astute politician
The commemoration took place in the form of a simple ceremony at the Willard Wheatley Primary School – named in his honour – and located at Major Bay, East End, Tortola.
The event was organised by family members and saw the presence of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) and many others.
According to the biography provided by the members of the committee that organised the event, in 1971 Wheatley contested and secured what was then the Sixth Electoral District, defeating a strong incumbent in Terrance B. Lettsome. He joined the Democratic Party in a coalition government and became the territory’s second Chief Minister. In 1975 he would secure a second term as Chief Minister, this time in a coalition with the Virgin Islands Party.
In 1979 the Virgin Islands Party, under H. Lavity Stoutt, won the Government and Dr Wheatley became the Leader of the Opposition. Then in 1983 with the United Party, he became the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Education and Welfare under a Cyril B. Romney Government.
However, Dr Wheatley lost his seat to Louis Walters in 1986 and though he contested two other elections, he was never returned to the Legislative Council.
Credited with turning around dire economy
Dr Wheatley, as Chief Minister, is credited with turning around a dire economic situation in which Government Finances were in deficit and investor confidence was at a low, according to the biography.
However, it said through careful spending and targeted measures, both Government finances and the economy improved which ultimately resulted in the removal of British Grant in Aid from the territory, considered Dr Wheatley’s most significant achievement.
He had become the territory’s first Finance Minister, a position previously held by the sitting Governor and when leaving office he left a surplus of over $2 million from sound fiscal management.
Dr Wheatley is also credited with localising the Police Force and as a Minister for Health, Education and Welfare, training teachers through the University of Hull and opening the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly and the Rainbow Home for children.
In paying tribute to this giant of a man, everyone who spoke remembered Wheatley for being dedicated to education as he was an educator before entering into the field of politics.
Vision & Determination
Premier Dr The Honourable Dr Orlando Smith said that Dr Wheatley led the territory for eight years with great vision and determination. “He was always thinking of how to solve problems…he was not about today for today but today for tomorrow,” he said. “I think I can speak for the entire Virgin Islands when I say that his life and legacy is something we are all excited to celebrate.”
Stern teacher
Past Chief Minister and Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE recalled the early days of his interaction with Wheatley while a pupil of his and spoke about his determination in the field of teaching and what he expected of his students.
“He insisted that what he said must be done and when he expected you to come with an essay, you better come with it,” said Honourable O’Neal.
In addition to other formal tributes, there were tributes in the form of scripture readings and songs and poetry, all honouring someone considered to be well deserving for his contribution to the territory over the years, both inside and outside of the political realm.
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