William Willis

William K. “Bill” Willis
1945 ~ 2010

William K. “Bill” Willis, 65, of Shippensburg, went Home to be with his Lord, on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at his home, surrounded by family.

Born on March 23, 1945, in Chambersburg, a son of the late Lewis E. and Emma T. Keller Willis. A 1963 graduate of Shippensburg Area High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1968. He then spent many years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

On September 28, 1969, Bill married Ms. Mima Jean Sommerville in the Shippensburg First Church of God, where they have been life-long members.

Bill retired as a grounds crew supervisor, from Shippensburg University, in 2006, after 35 years of employment. Prior to this, he worked for years, on his family’s farm, where he was raised.

Bill was an officer and member of the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion Post #223, and a member of the Durff-Kuhn V.F.W. Post #6168, both of Shippensburg.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mima Jean; two daughters, Alonda E. (Richard) Hartford of Mission Viejo, CA and Alisha K. (Burke) Riccione of Shippensburg; one brother, Lewis L. Willis of Shippensburg; one sister, Susan A. Willis of Shippensburg; and four grandchildren, Brooke E. Varner, Ashlyn T. Riccione, Tyler W. and Jacob F. Hartford.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, Inc., Shippensburg. Pastor Thomas L. Willis and Pastor Heidi Guyer will officiate. Interment, with military honors, will be in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Bill was a voluntary participant in several clinical trials at the University of Maryland Medical Center during his battle with Multiple Myeloma. Memorial contributions, to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Support at P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202, would honor Bill and his family.