William "Bill" Richard Willis

William "Bill" Richard Willis 88, of Jackson, CA passed away August 20, 2012 surrounded by his loving family and friends. Bill was born to Percy and Maud Willis on August 25, 1924, in San Francisco, CA, the youngest of 6 children. Bill was married to his true love of 59 years, Audrey "Ticky" Willis until her passing January 13, 2005. Bill and Audrey raised three children in the San Francisco Bay Area, and then retired to Grants Pass, OR, where they lived on the edge of the beautiful Rogue River. They later moved to Jackson, CA in 1990 and built their dream home so they could be closer to their family. Bill attended San Mateo High School in San Mateo, CA after which he answered the call of duty in WWII, enlisting shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Proudly serving his country as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marines, Bill was a survivor of the historic battle at Guadalcanal. Following his time in the service, Bill returned to the Bay Area where he met and married his beautiful wife, Audrey in 1946, and started a landscape business in partnership with his best friend Bob Clark. He then went to work for the San Francisco Water Department retiring in 1984. An avid outdoor sportsman, Bill passed on his love and respect of the outdoors to his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter. He was a true family man and was always happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. The American Legion Post 108 was a very important part of his life, and he considered them family. He was very proud to be included in the Honor Flight that took him to Washington DC to see the WWII Memorial and be honored with other veterans for their service. His friends at the Legion gave him the nickname "Guadacanali" and he loved it. One of his most memorable visits to a Legion gathering is fondly remembered by friends and family when a young veteran Marine took a leather Marine jacket and presented it to Bill. It was one of his most cherished possessions and he was proud to wear it. Semper Fi. Bill loved living in Jackson and said the nicest people in the world lived there. He would make a daily visit to SaveMart Supermarket where he referred to the employees as his "extended family". They made him an honorary "Assistant Manager", complete with hat and name badge and were very kind to him. Bill appreciated and loved the attention. Bill is survived by daughters, Vickie Domitrovich and her fiancé, Laine Atkinson of Redwood City, Pamela Ferenz of Ione; son Bart Willis and his wife, Kyle of Millbrae. Bill and Audrey were blessed with four grandchildren, Lacy Domitrovich, Jason Ferenz, Jessica Willis and Melissa Willis. Bill had one great granddaughter, Michaela Noe. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; mother, Maud Willis; father, Percy Willis; brothers, Fred and George Willis; and sisters, Mary, Nell, and Elsie. Private interment was held at Sunset View Cemetery in Jackson, CA. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of his life Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the American Legion Post 108 in Jackson, CA. Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Common Ground Senior Services, 229 New York Ranch Rd, Jackson, CA 95642, Amador Residential, 155 Placer Dr., Jackson, CA 95642, American Legion Post 108, P.O. Box 964, Sutter Creek, CA 95685, Amador County Foundation, Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1154, Jackson, CA 95642, or American Heart Association, 2007 O St., Sacramento, CA 95811.