Robert Willis

Robert Otis Willis was born to Harrison Willis and Verta (Lawson) Willis on June 3, 1936 in Stonega, Virginia, and passed from this world on December 24, 2019, in Battle Creek, Michigan surrounded by loved ones.  He joined the air-force after graduating high school and was assigned to Alaska, where he kept an eye on Russia during the cold war. He was later moved to the balmy Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan where he was to meet and marry his soul mate and the woman he would adore for the rest of his life, Roxie. He was happily married to Roxie for 60 years, which includes the last 7 years of Roxie’s life while she battled Alzheimer’s and the 18 months after she passed. He always considered himself the luckiest man that ever lived because she loved him. To friends and family that were lucky enough to be in the orbit of these two people it was amazing. They lived to make each other laugh and their two daughters, growing up in that atmosphere consider themselves some of the luckiest humans to have ever landed on the earth.  Bob and Roxie loved traveling mostly on a Gold Wing motorcycle. But Roxie did eventually get him on more airplanes than he cared for.  Bob worked at Kellogg’s for 25 years and while he enjoyed his work, he really liked the amount of vacation time he was able to accumulate.  Bob was proceeded in death by his parents, his adored Roxie, siblings: Josephine Adams, Paul Willis, Inez Nemeth, Jeanette Bishop, Ella Countiss, William Willis, Roberta Wooten, and Margaret Clark.  He is survived by his faithful companion, Miss Daisy, the smallest dog with the largest heart, daughters, Diana Herges (Ron), Rebecca Creaton (Steve); grandchildren, Bryan Herges, and McKenzie Brown (Ben). A large number of nieces and nephews, and one who was more like a little sister to him, Sandra Tull. Too many friends to mention individually but through time and shenanigans Coy (Gary)and Marilyn McMurtrie became family.  The world is filled with a bit less laughter with his passing, but his family and friends will fill it back up once the sadness abates.  In accordance to his wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday January 3, 2020 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org