WILLIS, Rex James 1910-2004

WILLIS, MARTIN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/16/2009 at 20:55:10

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RICEVILLE, IOWA — Rex Willis, 93, of Riceville, passed away Saturday (April 10, 2004) at the Riceville Community Rest Home.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville, with the Rev. Ray E. Atwood officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Riceville.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Lindstrom Funeral Home, 401 E. Main in Riceville. A rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus at 6 p.m. and there will be a Scripture service at 7 p.m.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Sister Elizabeth Martin and Earl and Mabel Willis Scholarships at Mount Mercy College.

When Rex James Willis was born in Riceville on June 23, 1910, to Earl and Mabel Martin Willis, it was a different town from the one we know today. A lot has happened in the Riceville area in the 93 years since his birth, and Rex was often quietly involved helping make it possible.

Following his graduation in 1928 from Riceville High School, Rex worked in a variety of roles (including as Riceville’s assistant postmaster). He also attended Gates Business College in Waterloo for two years. In 1942, he began working at Riceville’s First National Bank, but later that same year joined the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in the New Guinea and Philippine Campaigns. At the end of his World War II service, he returned to the First National Bank as bookkeeper and janitor. During these years, he completed his diploma at the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.

He worked his way through the ranks at First National, ultimately serving as president and chairman of the board before retiring in 1997. Although quiet and unassuming, he was also able to stand up for what he believed in. He cared for his clients and First National and would often dispense needed advice. In his career, he led the bank through years of growth and change and left it a strong institution.

During his years of service to the community, Rex gave generously of his time. He was first and foremost a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church and was involved in its building committee when the new church was built. He also served his church community as director and treasurer for the Calvary Cemetery for more than 50 years and was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus (3rd degree, Osage, Iowa; and 4th Degree, Ossian, Iowa).

He took an active role in the development of Lake Hendricks, which he saw as an enduring tribute to his close friend, Buck Hendricks. He was also active in the design and building of the Riceville Rest Home, serving as director and treasurer for more than 25 years.

He served as a board member on other community groups. Among these were the Riceville Hospital and the Riceville Development Corporation. He was a member of the Riceville Community Club for more than 50 years.

Other service included serving as a member and finance officer of American Legion, Post #244, treasurer of Avenue of Flags for Jenkins Township Cemetery, Riceville and treasurer of the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail.

Rex also served his community as a philanthropist giving quietly to worthy local and regional religious, educational and community service causes over the years. He also looked beyond Riceville and generously endowed scholarships at Loras College and Mount Mercy College designed to help local students interested in pursuing their educations there. Thus, at Mount Mercy, the Sister Elizabeth Martin and Earl and Mabel Willis Scholarships honor others, thanks to him.

Rex was the son of Mabel (Martin) Willis and Earl James Willis. He was devoted to his family whose roots run more than one hundred years deep in this region, but whose branches span widely today.

When he died at the Riceville Rest Home on April 10, 2004, he spent his last hours surrounded by his only sister, Florence (Willis) Waltman, of Canon City, Colo. and his nephews.

His four nephews are: William George (Elsa) Waltman, of San Antonio, Texas, James Vincent (Phyllis) Waltman, of Canon City, Colo., John Lawrence (Jean) Waltman, of Tecumseh, Mich., and Robert Frederick (Lynn) Waltman, of Greeley, Colo. Among his wider family are a number of Martin cousins in the Riceville area as well as innumerable friends.

His nephews will always remember him as a gentle, loving man who cared for his family. Uncle Rex often spent countless hours hiking and fishing with them along the Wapsipinicon River in their youth. In their maturity, he shared his sage advice and conversation. Their world, this world, is a little better thanks to him.

Lindstrom Funeral Home, (641) 985-2242.

[Mason City Globe Gazette - April 12, 2004]

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Photo from MITCHELL COUNTY HISTORY, 1989.

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