During the First World War, Willans served in a non-combat role in Italy.
[2] He accompanied archeologist Professor Emyr Estyn Evans on research trips to France and Spain.
[3] In 2005, his collection of photographs was rediscovered and donated to the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth.
The collection was described by local historian David Pugh as "...important in documenting the history of mid Wales a century ago - these photographs have been a great find.
"[2] He died on 12 April 1957, aged 76, at the Royal Salop Infirmary in Shrewsbury and was buried in the churchyard of St. Michael's Church in Kerry, Powys near to Dolforgan Hall.