Obituary of William Orrie Willis

William Orrie Willis of Independence, Mo. departed this life November 15 while deer hunting with family near Macks Creek, Mo. In attempting to cross a rain-swollen creek on the old family farm, William and two of his grandsons were swept away in the diesel pickup in which they were riding. The two boys clambered to safety, but William tragically drowned in the same creek where he had played as a child. Bud, as he was called by most, was born in 1934 to Earl Alexander and Gertie Myrtle Willis. He attended school in Tunas, Missouri and Macks Creek, where he graduated in 1953. He served in the U.S. Navy later, rising to the rank of Gunner�s Mate, Second Class. Later he worked as a pipefitter at Allied Signal Aerospace for 39 years. William loved Jesus Christ and was baptized as a boy at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Macks Creek. He and his wife later joined Calvary Baptist Church in Independence. It was a pleasure for him to fellowship with church members and worship the Lord. Preceding him in death are his parents, a brother Oral Alexander Willis, and his youngest daughter, Joy Camelle Freeman. He is survived by Bertie Mildred Willis, his wife of 50 years, his oldest daughter Christine Waters of Macks Creek and son Stanley Willis of North Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also survived by his brother Donald Willis and sister, Marjorie Teer, both of Macks Creek, Mo. Aside from his love of hunting and the St. Louis Cardinals, Bud enjoyed doting on his five grandchildren. Each will take with them fond memories of a man who put his family before himself, in both life and death.