Bill E. Willis, 92

Bill E. Willis, 92, passed away at the Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Nov. 21, 2016.

Bill was born in Denmark, Ore., on Feb. 17, 1924, to Fred C. and Marjorie M. (Gilstrap) Willis and was raised in Coos Bay, Ore. He enlisted into the United States Navy and served at Pearl Harbor during World War II. After his discharge in 1945, he moved to Adrian, Ore., where he worked as a carpenter until joining the USDA as a loan specialist for the Farm Home Administration, retiring in 1991. In 1982, he moved to Coeur d’Alene.

Bill married Violet Rose McGinnis in 1945 in Anacortes, Wash. She passed away on Aug. 21, 1989. He then married Judith L. Stewart on July 3, 1991, in Coeur d’Alene. She passed away Jan. 18, 2015.

He was a former member of the American Legion and life member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners. Bill assisted with the construction of the Children’s Village in Coeur d’Alene and volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Bill is survived by his son, William V. “Bill” and wife Janice Willis of Hayden; daughter Marsha and husband Andy Page of Pendleton, Ore.; three grandchildren: Crystal Willis, Jim Dill and Tanya Rychard; eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and close family friend, Becky Baeth.

In addition to his two wives, Bill is preceded in death by his grandson, Terry Wright; three brothers and two sisters.

Memorials may be made to Hospice House, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

At his request, no service will be held. A private remembrance will be held at a later date.

Please sign Bill’s guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.