Willis Richard Wolf

Willis passed away on July 7, 2011 at the age of 91.

He was born on April 19, 1920 in Halstead, Kansas. He went to Valley Center High School in Valley Center, Kansas, where he participated in football, basketball and track and was president of his class for three years. He then moved to Sedgwick, Kansas where he attended Sedgwick High School. This was where he met his high school sweetheart, Peggy Jo Johnson. They were married four years later on January 28, 1943. They both worked at Beech Aircraft for two years while he attended college at Wichita State University. After two years of college, he entered military service during World War II where he served in the U.S. Air Core in China, Burma and India. When he returned to the U.S. after the war, he went back to Wichita State University, under the GI Bill, to finish his B.A. degree.

Willis' early career highlights include: Manager of Montgomery Ward stores in Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan and Illinois and Vice President of Horders, Inc. in Chicago.

When he was forty years old, he and his family moved to Akron, Ohio, for his new position at Olson Electronics where he helped expand the company from seven stores to approximately 200 stores. He served as Vice President and then President from 1960 until 1984 when the company was sold. While living in Akron, Willis was actively involved in Junior Achievement, Children's Hospital Medical Center, N.E. Akron College of Medicine, Akron Regional Development Board, United Way, Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Greater Akron Export Association, SCORE, Sales and Marketing Association Board and University of Akron Business College Advisory Board.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; three sons and daughter, Willis and Kathy Wolf of Austin, Texas, Vicki and Dave Hanselman of Ft. Myers, Florida, Mike and Denise Wolf of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, Jeffery and Susan Wolf of Columbus, Ohio; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 10th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron, with Rev. Diane Walker officiating, followed by military honors conducted by Firestone VFW 3383. Friends may call 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to any charity of the donor's choice. The family especially extends appreciation to the staff of the Special Care Unit at Rockynol and to Akron General Hospice Nursing Facility Care Team for their tender care during the last months and moments of life. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)