William Eugene Willis

William Eugene Willis, age 83, of Grants Pass, died Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at his home.

A viewing will be from 12 Noon to 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center Relief Society Room.

A funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center with Bishop Darren Huddleston officiating. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Humanitarian Services, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-6890.

William was born October 17, 1929 in San Gabriel, California to Wilmer & Jessie (Lockhart) Willis. In 1948 he graduated from Marshall High School in Los Angeles. He worked as a carpenter until joining the United States Army on January 10, 1951. On May 18, 1951 in Los Angeles he married Merle Loyce Whiles. After his honorable discharge on December 27, 1952 he worked again as a carpenter until 1956 when he went to work for the Garden Grove Fire Department until his retirement as Captain in 1976. During that time he also owned and operated with his wife, Grandpa’s Old World Deli for three years. He later owned and operated Willis Communications for 16 years. In January 2002 he moved to Grants Pass.

William was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Redwood Ward since 2002; a member of the Firefighters Association; and the Orange (California) County Motorcycle Club Chapter O.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, gardening, and lunch at Wendy’s.

William is survived by his wife of 62 years, Merle “Loyce” Willis of Grants Pass, Oregon; two sons, Lee Willis of Spring, Texas and Glenn Willis and wife Vickie of Grants Pass, Oregon; four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Willis in 1995.