William McGee, commonly known as Willy, was a thin, frail seven-year-old boy who wore glasses. Children often picked on Willy because of the way he looked, but Willy never let that bother him. He had something the other kids didn't have: a magic pirate captain's hat and a great imagination. By placing the hat on his head, Willy discovered that he could transform himself into Captain Williby, embarking on exciting adventures.