Isaac Augustus Willis 1870-1946

WILLIS, HAMILTON, DAY, IRWIN

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 6/29/2010 at 16:01:27

Obituary -

(Unknown Newspaper)

I. A. WILLIS DIED UNEXPECTEDLY OCTOBER 6 ... I. A. Willis passed away Sunday night, Oct. 6, at his home in Skidmore, following a heart attack. He was ill for only a few minutes.

Mr. Willis retired from the farm four years ago, but continued to lead an active life. He was very solicitous in his care of Mrs. Willis, who is a semi-invalid, and always had a cheerful word for everyone he met. Mr. and Mrs. Willis had been married nearly 59 years, and at the close of this happy companionship the warm sympathy of many friends has gone out to Mrs. Willis.

Isaac Augustus Willis was born Aug. 16, 1870, in Harrison County, near Cainsville. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Willis. He passed away Oct. 6, 1946, at his home in Skidmore, where he had lived the past four years. He was 76 years old.

He was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Ellen Hamilton, Oct. 16, 1887, near Pleasanton.

Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter Mrs. Frank Day of Quitman, Mo.; a son James Arthur Willis of Skidmore; and a brother Lewis Willis of Modena. There are six grandchildren, Theodore, Dale and Doyt Willis of Skidmore; Elmer and Berdena Day of Quitman, and Mrs. Louis Irwin, Skidmore; and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the family home in Skidmore. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery.

We lost one of our old timers this week when Gus Willis passed away. He was my neighbor and everyone's neighbor, a friend to all. I have heard the men with whom he associated, men of his own age say, that there wasn't a man in town better liked than Gus. He was noted for his wit and the manner in which he conversed. No one enjoyed a joke better than he even tho the joke was on himself. He was as able to give as to receive and it was pretty hard to get ahead of him.

Mr. Willis was a man of generous habits, what he had was yours if you needed it. He was a gardener of local fame, always raising an abundance of everything and willing to share it.

Altho past seventy years of age he kept up on sports, had his favorite baseball team and could tell you their merits. Even tho advanced in years he felt that he could still take an active part. Only a few days ago he was watching the men pitch horseshoes and felt that he could do as well. He was invited in the game and tried a few shoes. When the bowling alley was opened he was an interesting spectator and made the remark that the game looked easy. He rolled a few balls and laughingly remarked that those balls wouldn't go where he rolled them. Dad Willis will certainly be missed by his many friends in Skidmore.

(Mercer County Public Library at Princeton, Missouri)