Robert Eugene Willis

Robert Eugene "Bob" Willis, 86, of Parsons, passed away at 3:32 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Elm Haven East Nursing Home.

He was born September 26, 1930 in Galesburg, Kansas to Merle and Eunice (Allen) Willis. As a young boy, he grew up in Galesburg where he attended schools and was a 1948 graduate of Galesburg High School.

On April 17, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Brown, at the Galesburg Christian Church.

For a time, he worked at Shaw Manufacturing in Galesburg before joining the U.S. Army where he served two years in Okinawa, Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Southeast Kansas where he worked at Continental Can Company in Coffeyville. He then worked for numerous years as a machinist at Dayton Superior in Parsons until his retirement.

He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Parsons. He was also a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Thayer and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Chanute. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, honey bee farming, repairing clocks, and collecting antiques.

Survivors include:

His loving wife of 63 years – Betty Willis                             of the home

One Sister – Merlene Manke                                                  Tallahassee, FL

Numerous nieces and nephews that adored him

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Betty Lou Willis.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Galesburg with military honors given by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, of Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the Wesley United Methodist Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.