Kenneth Scott Willis

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Kenneth Scott Willis, 61, passed away from cancer on October 22, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. Scott was born August 21, 1954 in Phoenix, Arizona to Lorraine Ellen "Kitsie" McLoy and Kenneth Mills Willis. He was the oldest of seven siblings A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a mission in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Scott was a scoutmaster, youth leader, bishop, Primary teacher and choir member. He lived the gospel in his everyday life. Scott graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering. For the last twenty years, Scott worked for Alaska Electric Light & Power. Scott married Gaye Jones on November 23, 1979 in the Logan Utah Temple. He was a loving father to three children: Sarah, Reed, and Katie. The family moved to Juneau in 1984 and enjoyed the beauty of the area and loved the people here. Over the years, Scott volunteered in a variety of organizations including the Humane Society, the Planetarium, the high school science fair, the Boy Scouts of America, and Billion Graves and Find-a-Graves websites. Scott researched Juneau's electrical history and entertained the community with presentations on this topic. But Scott was best known to those who loved him for his one-on-one service. Scott did not believe in wasting time, and developed numerous talents and skills by practicing mere minutes every day. He taught himself juggling, yo-yoing, ventriloquism, magic tricks, leatherworking and rock polishing. Scott loved gardening and at various times kept bees and raised quails, chicken, and other animals. He loved music and played the violin, hammered dulcimer, and guitar and sang Sacred Harp music. Well read, he had a keen memory of facts. He was known for his love of Dr. Seuss, especially his elaborate Grinch display at Christmas. Family and friends will miss Scott's sense of humor, his ability to find a joke for every situation, and his trademark mustache and bow ties. Scott is survived by his wife, Gaye; his children Sarah Clint Ricker, Kenneth Reed Emily Willis, and Katie Willis; his grandchildren Henry and Lucy Ricker, and Kenneth Jackson Willis; his parents, Ken and Kitsie Willis; and his siblings, Larry Sandy Willis, Lynn Gary Allred, Kathleen John Hughes, Cindy Willis, David Janet Willis and Michael Tiffany Willis; in-laws, nieces and nephews, and other family members. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 29 at 7 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 5100 Glacier Highway in Lemon Creek. A funeral will be held at 2701 East Lehi Road, Mesa, Arizona at 10 a.m. November 2, and internment will be at the the Mesa City Cemetery. In lieu of flower, donations may be made at http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services.html. Memories of Scott may also be shared at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kscottwillis.