Willard Decker

Willard Decker, also known as Will, was a 23rd century Human Starfleet officer.

Early in his Starfleet career, Will Decker was stationed at Delta IV. While there, he had a romance with the Deltan, Ilia. Decker ultimately ended the relationship and left Delta IV without saying goodbye to Ilia.

Decker was recommended by James T. Kirk to command the refitted USS Enterprise following the completion of Kirk's legendary five-year mission and subsequent promotion to rear admiral in 2270. Despite his recommendation, Kirk conveyed his feelings of envy towards Decker, telling the younger officer his hopes of commanding a starship again in the future. The now-Captain Decker would go on to oversee the extensive refit of the Enterprise throughout its entire eighteen months.

In 2273, as a destructive entity known as V'Ger was heading towards Earth, Kirk convinced Admiral Nogura to grant him command of the Enterprise in order to intercept V'Ger. Kirk temporarily downgraded Decker's position to executive officer and his rank from Captain to Commander, something Decker protested "off-the-record". Decker believed Kirk was only using the emergency to retake command of the Enterprise and that his inexperience with the new-and-improved Enterprise could jeopardize the mission. Regardless, Kirk remained adamant that his own experience in dealing with threats such as V'Ger was pivotal to their mission, and maintained command.

After the unexpected death of Commander Sonak in a transporter accident, Decker was also forced to double as science officer. This assignment proved only temporary, however, when Spock arrived to offer his services.

Prior to departing, Decker received the surprising but pleasant news that his former love, Ilia, now a Lieutenant, had arrived aboard the Enterprise to serve as navigator. When they were alone, Decker apologized to Ilia for leaving her, but she was still hurt that he never even said goodbye before leaving. They had little time to rekindle their relationship, however, as Ilia was taken from the bridge by V'Ger's probe, reduced to a data stream, and replaced by a probe that duplicated the Deltan officer's form.

When it was found that the probe not only copied Ilia's appearance but her memories as well, Decker was given the assignment to revive her memories so she could give them more information on V'Ger and the "Creator" which it seeks. His efforts proved to be a partial success, as, for a moment, Ilia's personality was able to surface and explain to Decker that V'Ger does not know who the "creator" is, only that its answer lies on Earth.

Upon arriving at Earth, V'Ger threatened to destroy the planet unless it was allowed to meet with the creator. Decker was among the landing party which also included Kirk, Spock, and Doctor McCoy, that discovered V'Ger's true origin and motivation: V'Ger was actually an old Earth space probe known as Voyager VI and was seeking to evolve by joining with its creator -- a Human. Decker, having lost both Ilia and the captain's chair, volunteered to physically join with V'Ger. The two merged into a glowing entity, ceasing to exist physically but none the less alive as a new lifeform, and departed with the Ilia duplicate for parts unknown.

Following this incident, Kirk officially listed Decker as "missing in action". (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

Background
Commander Willard Decker was to have featured as the Enterprise's first officer in Star Trek: Phase II. Yet, the story of Willard Decker and Lt. Ilia were "borrowed" for the characters of William T. Riker and Deanna Troi when Star Trek: The Next Generation went into production.

Some fans believe that Commodore Matt Decker was Will's father, although there is no canon evidence or even production information to support this. The Star Trek: Phase II Writer's Guide only stated that Will was descended from numerous other Starfleet officers, some of whom are of flag rank like Matt was.