In loving memory of William Edward Willis, 77, of 109 Marks St., Atikokan, Ont., who passed away peacefully at the Atikokan General Hospital on Friday, Jan. 7, 2000.
William was born Feb. 22, 1922 and reared in Emo, Ont. He served overseas in W.W.II from 1939-46 in Sicily, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
He was decorated with several medals, and following the war, spent a few months in Czechoslovakia, then returned to Canada in 1946 and settled in Emo.
In 1951, he moved to Sapawe, Ont. and worked for J.A. Mathieu as a truck driver, then in 1954, he moved to Atikokan and worked at Gillon Mines as a heavy equipment mechanic.
In 1955, he settled in Atikokan with his wife, Annie.
William enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #145.
William is survived by his wife, Annie Willis of Atikokan; children, Rodney (Zoe) Willis of Atikokan, Keith (Anne) Willis of Barrier, B.C., Dwayne (Gay) Willis of Leaf Rapids, Man., and Sharon Willis of Kamloops, B.C.; stepchildren, Robert (Sheila) Thorson and Donald (Patricia) Thorson, both of Eva Lake, Ont.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are his siblings, Audrey Locking of Rainy River, Ont., Dorothy Matousek of Wisconsin, Mary Kuharski of Fort Frances, Ont., Shirley (Edwin) Morphet of Montreal, P.Q., and Jim (Doris) Willis of Ironridge, Ont.
He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rose Willis; and by four brothers, Gordon, Robert, George, and John.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, with Rev. Doug Greig officiating.
Interment is in Little Falls Cemetery.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.