ROBINSON, Willis J. (1876-1954)

ROBINSON, FELL, ELLIS, COTEY, TAYLOR

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 2/1/2020 at 18:56:18

Services Held For Rev. W. Robinson

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Robinson of Elgin. Ill., were visitors at the Mabel Fell home Sunday afternoon. They came to attend the grave side burial service at the Concord cemetery on Monday afternoon for their cousin, the Rev. Willis Robinson of Storm Lake.

The Rev. Robinson had passed away suddenly at Fort Dodge on Thursday, April 8th while he and his wife were on their way home from a visit with his sister, Mrs. Mable Fell and relatives at Britt.

source: Garner Leader, 14 Apr 1954, page 7, column 8

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Rev. Willis J. Robinson

Willis Judson Robinson was born Aug. 15, 1876, in Barrington, Ill., and passed from this life on April 8, 1854, at the age of 78 years. He was the youngest of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson.

In May of 1878 the family moved to Algona, where his father was pastor of the First Baptist church.

He was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Ellis on Dec. 25, 1901. To this union one daughter was born, Mrs. Pearl Cotey of Chicago. Mrs. Robinson passed away on Oct. 18, 1913.

In 1904 he was commissioned a missionary of the American Sunday School Union and traveled over 55 counties of Iowa.

Ordained

On May 14, 1912 Willis was ordained a Baptist minister in the Algona church. He served seven churches, all in Iowa. During those years he held several important positions besides being a pastor. He was a member of the Board of Managers of the Iowa Baptist Convention, secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Baptist Assembly, moderator and clerk of several associations. He was also president and secretary of the Storm Lake Kiwanis club, secretary of the Buena Vista County Merchants association, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at Rockwell City, Marion and Storm Lake. In January of 1942, he was elected president of the Iowa Association of Commercial Organizations of Secretaries.

He served the Storm Lake Baptist church for 12 years as pastor and retired in 1941. Since then he has supplied pulpits of different denominations.

On March 3, 1915, Willis was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Scott.

County Auditor

In January 1945, he was appointed auditor of Buena Vista county. On February 1 he severed his connection with the Chamber of Commerce which he served as secretary for 12 years.

He served as interim pastor for three months at Osage. Since the last of November he had served as interim pastor of the First Baptist church in Ottumwa.

He leaves to mourn; his wife, Mrs. Pearl Robinson; his daughter, Mrs. Pearl Cotey of Chicago, and his grandson, Robert Taylor of Storm Lake; one sister, Mrs. Mable Fell of Garner, as well as a host of friends.

He was a kind and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

source: Storm Lake Pilot, 15 Apr 1954, page 15, column 2/3