Obituary of Gordon Alexander Willis

Cranbrook native Gordon Willis passed away July 24, 2013 while convalescing at the F.W Green Memorial Home. Gordon was born May 5,1924 in Cranbrook, the 5th child of Burley and Ruby Willis.

He met the love of his life Margaret Benson and they were married for 62 plus years. Some of the many things they enjoyed in their long married life include travelling and sharing their kitchen in making delightful meals to entertain friends and family. After retirement, they made many trips with their trailer and were members of the Good Sams.

Gordon was in the R.C.A.F. from 1943 - 1946. After his release he obtained his degree as a Funeral Director and worked at McPherson's Funeral Home, which he purchased in 1957. After the sale of the funeral home in 1971 he worked for the City of Cranbrook as Deputy Clerk until his retirement in 1986.

Gordon was an active member of the Cranbrook United Church since 1940, a life member of the O.E.S. #64, Masonic Lodge #34 AF+AM, and a member of the Viking Lodge Scandinavian of East Kootenay.

Gordon was predeceased by his parents Burley and Ruby Willis, his sisters Elsie Austin and Margaret Haslam, and his brothers Bob And Walker Willis.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, his nieces Julie (Trevor) Whyte of Australia, Janine (Steve) Benson, nephews Bill (Rose)  Austin of Calgary, Charles (Loretta) Willis, Bruce (Sharla) Benson, and sister-in-law Phyllis Benson, and numerous other nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special friends Alex and Hazel McDonald, Jack and Sharron Beloin, Francis Allen, and Jack and Mary Lindquist.

A Memorial Service for Gordon will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 2:00pm at McPherson Funeral Service in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens in the Westlawn Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honour of Gordon can do so to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Walker Willis Memorial Bursary fund OES #64 Cranbrook.

 

A special person remembered an a beautiful life honoured.