Willis, George W.
Published in the Goldendale Sentinel June 12, 2003

George W. Willis, 86 of Goldendale, died June 3, 2003 in Yakima.

He was born Nov. 3, 1916 in Tensed, Idaho to John and Marie Willis. George graduated from high school in Tekoa and graduated from Spokane College of Business. He moved to Goldendale and married Geneva Hamilton on June 22, 1940 in Goldendale. George worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Klickitat County Road Dept. for several years. He managed Klickitat Valley Grain Growers for 29 years, managed Western Farmers in Goldendale for several years and spent his final working years with the John Deere dealership in Goldendale retiring in 1983.

George was very active in the community as a volunteer firefighter, served as a fire commissioner and on the Klickitat County Fair Board for many years. He was an EMT and served with Klickitat Hospital Ambulance for many years as well. He was a member of the Goldendale Lions Club, the Goldendale Grange and the Good Sam Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cribbage.

His wife Geneva preceded him in death in 1994.

Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Little and her husband, Don of Georgetown, Calif.; two sons, Frank Willis of St. Ignatius, Mt. and Gary Willis of Yakima. 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Ray (Helen) Hill of Goldendale also survive. He was preceded in death by one brother, Sheryl Willis.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 7 at 1 PM in the chapel of Erdman Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Akins officiating. Internment was in Mt. View Cemetery.

Willis, John Henry
Published in the Goldendale Sentinel November 2, 1967

John Henry Willis was born January 14, 1884, near Cairo, Neb. and passed away in Goldendale on October 27, 1967, at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 13 days.

He came from a family of four sisters and one brother. His parents and two sisters preceded him in death. When he was 16, his parents moved the family to Utah and after residing there several years the family then moved to Davenport, Wash., where he met and married Marie Freeman. To this union two sons, Sheryl and George, and one daughter, Helen were born. Before moving to Goldendale in 1937, they lived in Tekoa, Wash.

John was a farmer all of his life, a hard worker. He was a charter member of the Tensed Grange in Idaho and on coming to Goldendale transferred to the Goldendale Grange. He has been a member for about 35 years and was an interested and active one until age forced a slow-down.

He leaves behind to mourn his passing, his wife Marie; his two sons Sheryl and George of Goldendale; his daughter Helen Hill, also of Goldendale; his brother, Jim Willis, of Tacoma, Wash.; his two sisters, Jessie Snook, of Okanogan, Wash. and Gladys Stone, of Olympia, Wash.; 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces, and a host of friends.

Willis, Marie
Published in the Goldendale Sentinel January 7, 1982

Marie Willis was born Nov. 11, 1894 to Matthew and Eva Freeman at Grand Island, Neb.

When she was six years old her family moved to Washington state, settling near Davenport for a few years, then moving to Ft. Spokane where her mother cooked for the military.

While at Ft. Spokane Miss Freeman attended school at Peach, Wash, where she met John Willis from Creston, Wash., whom she married. They moved to Tensed, Idaho where they farmed until 1937 when they bought their farm at Goldendale.

The couple had three children: Sheryl, George and Helen. Mrs. Willis’s husband and her son Sheryl preceeded her in death.

She had 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Willis was described as one of those rare individuals who gave unselfishly all of the love she had. Her family and God were always her first concern. She was equally loved by her family and her many friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Willis were among the early builders of the Tensed Grange of which they were charter members. They remained active in the Grange after they moved to Goldendale. Mrs. Willis received her 50 year pin in June of this year. She was also a member of Leah Rebekah Lodge and the Goldendale Womens’ Association in which she participated actively until the last few years of her life.

Her real love was her membership in the Baptist Church and she gave of her time and efforts to God as long as she lived. She recently started a correspondence course in the study of the Bible and was concerned because she might not get her last test paper in to the school.

Funeral services were held Thursday at the Knosher Funeral Home with the Rev. Herbert Evans officiating.

Honorary pall bearers were Tom and Terry Willis, Les Jobe, Bud Amidon, Harold Hill and Bill Hall. Active bearers were grandchildren Ken and Jim Hill, Gary, Frank, Ray and Daryl Willis.

Internment was in the IOOF cemetery.