Obit: Willis, Alan M. (1941– 2010)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Willis, Manning, Kayo, Ryan, Darow, Gross, O’Neill, Johnson, Cich, Tobin, Faulkner, Thermes, Moore,

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) March 17, 2010

Willis, Alan M. (8 October 1941 – 12 March 2010) With Flag

Alan M. Willis, 68, of Black River Falls and formerly of West Allis died Friday, March 12, 2010, in Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center in La Crosse.

Al was born Oct. 8, 1941, in West Allis to Bernard and Mary (Manning) Willis.  He was raised in West Allis and Crivitz.  He was a career military serviceman.  He served in the Marines and the Air Force for 20 years and retired June 30, 1979, with the rank of tech sergeant E-6. 

He was married for 29 years to Tomi Kayo, and they were later divorced.  He married Susan Ryan, and they were later divorced.  He married Donna Faye Darow July 1, 2005, in Black River Falls.

Al worked as a service-writer for Back 2-Basics Truck Service in Black River Falls.  He was very proud of his military service.  He enjoyed Harleys, fishing and reading.  He was a member of the Masons and the Shrine.

Surviving are his wife, Donna; one son, Michael (Ranee) Willis, New Lisbon; two daughters, Susan (Lewis) Gross, West Milwaukee, and Cindy Willis, central Virginia; two stepsons, Shane O’Neill, Black River Falls, and Shawn (Debbie) Johnson, Fremont, NE; one sister, Arlene (Leonard) Cich, Greenfield; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, step-nieces, step-nephews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-laws, Sharon and Tim Tobin, Carol and Bill Faulkner, all of La Crosse/Onalaska, Connie and Mark Thermes, Rhonda and Chuck Moore, Phoenix, AZ, and Paul and Janet Darow, Charlotte, NC.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Al’s Life, followed by military honors, will be held at Torgerson’s Funeral Home (715-284-4321), Black River Falls, at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20. Burial will be at a later date.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.