WILLS, Robert Allen (1840-1914)

WILLS, RAMSAY, WAINWRIGHT

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 11/9/2018 at 12:35:38

Malvern Leader
Malvern, Mills County, Iowa
Thursday Nov. 19, 1914

FUNERAL OF CAPT. WILLS

Another Pioneer Citizen Laid To Rest Sunday Afternoon November 15

Mr. R.A. Wills, who had suffered from a serious illness for a few weeks past, died at his home in Malvern, Friday, November 13. During the days of his sickness he was ministered to by his devoted family and friends, and all that could be done for him was done that his last hours might be made as pleasant as possible.

In the passing of Mr. Wills the community loses a man whose place will be hard to fill. He was a true friend to everyone, upright and generous; a loyal member of the Presbyterian church; a member of the G.A.R. and interested in every thing that might lead to the betterment of Malvern and vicinity. We can truthfully say he died as he lived - a Christian man. What more need we say than that?

The funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church. The honorary pallbearers were members of the G.A.R. They were C.W. Black, Col. Chantry, H.C. Robbins, Arthur McClain, John Suits and J.D. Paddock. The active pall bearers were W.G. Clark, X.A. Imel, B.M. Sutton, P.B. Hendricks, C.E. Porter and N.D. Smith. A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Talbott, Mrs. J.H. Beckwith, and R.W. Dutton sang three appropriate selections.

The floral offerings were numerous and splendid. The Presbyterian church of Emerson, of which Mr. Wills was a charter member, also sent a beautiful floral remembrance.

The service was conducted by Rev. R.B. West who took for his text Rev. 14:13. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” He explained that the text expressed a thought at variance with the prevailing notions which men hold. We say “blessed are the living.” The resurrection of Jesus Christ marks a new departure with respect to the terms used about the death of believers. After the resurrection they are never spoken of as being dead. There is always some qualifying phrase connected with the statement of their death such as “They died in the Lord”, or “they fell asleep”. Death to the believer is merely a change of company. He goes to be with the Christ whom he served. One who lives for God is not forgotten in death. God does not relinquish His hold. He does not forsake a man when he is helpless and dying. He promises to be with His people all the way. The text suggested rest. The believer will no longer be subject to the limitations and weariness and failures of earth, for he has gone to that realm where they mount up with wings as eagles, where they run and are not weary; where they walk and faint not. God remembers all His works. Nothing done for God will ever be forgotten. “Their works follow with them” - as witness of their fidelity. The highest word of commendation that one can receive is “well done good and faithful servant.” Mr. Wills always tried to be faithful. He was faithful in the family, in the church, in the Sabbath School, in the prayer meeting, in the service of his country, and in business.

In closing the address the following quotation was read:

Old friend of mine, if you shall cross the tide
Before my barque lets go,
You watch and with Him our Peerless Guide,
If first you cross the tide.

Old friend of mine, if you shall learn the way
Before I hear the call,
You whisper through the misty maze some day
The password that is best for me to say -
If first you learn the way.

Old friend of mine, from battlements on high,
If yonder first you stand,
Wave back some message you may cheer us by,
And spur us on to dare or do to die,
From battlements on high.

Old friend of mine, if you shall see the King
Before I kiss his hand,
Waft back to me some strain that these you sing,
Some note to still this longing wondering,
If first you see the King.

The following obituary was read at the services and briefly touches the more important points in the life of the deceased:

Robert Allen Wills was born in Indiana, March 18, 1840, and died Nov. 13, 1914, aged 74 years, 7 months and 25 days. When he was ten years of age he came with his parents to Iowa. He was united in marriage Nov. 8, 1865, to Miss Nancy Ramsay. Five children were born to them, four of whom are now living. They are: Mary Eva Wainwright, Geo. Franklin and Josie Maud all of Malvern, and John Ralph of Ogden, Utah, all of whom were present at the funeral except John, who had just returned to his home.

In the year 1871 Mr. Willis moved to a farm near Emerson, in Montgomery County. Coming to Malvern in 1895, he settled at Peaceville where he resided for ten years, when he moved to his late residence in town.

When the call came for volunteers for service in the war, Mr. Wills enlisted in April ’61 in Company E, 6th Iowa Infantry as a private, and was mustered out in July 1865, as Captain of the same Company, having seen over four years of service. He marched with Sherman to the sea, and fought in all the principal battles of the Sherman campaign, Shiloh being his first engagement. During the four years he had but one furlough, and that for but 30 days, after he had re-enlisted. He was present at the Grand Review at Washington, at the close of the war.

For over 62 years Mr. Wills had been a member of the Presbyterian church. He was one of the charter member of the Emerson church. While a member there he was elected and ordained a ruling elder. Since coming to Malvern he has been holding a like position in the local Presbyterian church and at the time of his death was Clerk of Session. Mr. Wills was always a champion and loyal supporter of every good and worthy object and held the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Besides his widow he leaves two brothers, Wm. Ward of Des Moines and Daniel H. of Moravia, Appanoose county, Iowa.

The following out of town relatives were present at the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Wills of Des Moines; Mr. D.H. Wills of Moravia; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Leonard of Perry; Mrs. Aggie Bates, Mrs. Mary Riley and Mrs. Mary Hickenlooper of Albia.

Among the friends from out of town who were with Mrs. Wills and family were Mrs. A.R. Owen of Elmwood, Neb; Mr. and Mrs. G.E. Masters of Glenwood.