Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
George Willis Obituary
George Henderson Willis, age 88, Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away on April 2, 2015 of natural causes at his home with his wife by his side. Born in 1927 in Mitchell, South Dakota, to George and Agnes Higgins Willis, he was the eldest of five children.
George was married to Florence Wermers in Dimock, SD in 1950, and was the father of five children. He enlisted in the Army in 1945 and served in Japan in the occupation following World War II. Upon his return, he attended Dakota Wesleyan University. Later, he received his Master's Degree in chemistry from the University of South Dakota.
George had a love of teaching and worked for 33 years at Washington High School in Sioux Falls. He also sold insurance for and served on the Board of Directors of the Modern Woodmen of America. In his retirement, he was instrumental in the founding of the chemistry department of Southeast Technical Institute. He was a member of the Toastmasters, the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree, and the Legion of Mary. He was also an active member of Christ the King parish for many years.
He also had a love of baseball and played shortstop many years for both Ethan and Dimock in the Sunshine League.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; sister, Dorothy Kaiser of Lincoln, NE; five children, Steven and Ann Willis, Jody Willis, Nancy and Steve McLaughlin, Kathryn and Mark Swanson all of whom live in Sioux Falls, and Teresa Willis of Oletha, KS; fourteen grandchildren; one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
The family will be present from 5 to 7 pm with a scripture service beginning at 7 pm on Monday, April 6, 2015, at Christ the King Parish. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at Christ the King Parish with interment at St. Michael Cemetery.
All donations should be directed to Sioux Falls Catholic Schools.
www.millerfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Willis
aaron lalley
May 4, 2015
Mr Willis was my chem teacher at Washington in 1984/1985. He was a educator of the highest caliber and a wonderful human being.
April 9, 2015
Mr. Willis was so kind and encouraging as a chemistry teacher and yearbook adviser. Teachers like him inspire me often. He was such a great man who left a legacy that will not end.
Dan Johnson
April 7, 2015
I had the good fortune to have known George Willis and his family for almost 60 years. Without a doubt George was one of the very best. A true gentlemen, amazing teacher, loyal and caring friend, a man of strong character and a quick wit. He was respected and loved by all who had the good fortune to know him. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.
Martin Luebke
April 7, 2015
Florence and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry we were unable to offer condolences in person. It was always good to visit with George at the Wermers family gatherings.
Martin (Duke) & Karen
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Chris Carlsen
April 6, 2015
George Willis is in the top five of my best teachers which is quite a compliment as I've had some really great teachers. Yet, he was not only a great teacher...he was a great person: loved by his students, his friends, and his family. Thank you for blessing all of us. God bless you, George.
April 6, 2015
I remember how Father John McEneaney always said George and Florence danced like Fred and Ginger. Here's to the great life you shared and to the light you gave to all of us. Jody, you will always define faithfulness for me.
Love to the whole family and we'll all have a dance w/Big Mac again. Love & huge gratitude, Sara Davis
John Doss
April 6, 2015
To the Willis family,
George was a Home Room teacher, a mentor and friend who kept many of our classmates including myself from making mistakes that would have shortened our scholastic careers.
He is still remembered as a kind and gentle leader by all of our classmates. He will be missed by all.
Cheryl Thaler
April 6, 2015
To the Family of George Willis,
Mr. Willis was my chemistry teacher in the 80's. Even though I struggled with chemistry I enjoyed going to class because of him. He was kind, had a sense of humor and a passion for teaching.
April 5, 2015
Florence & family,
Our sincere condolences, and prayers for all of you at George'e passing, and during Holy Week! I recall both of you being at many activities at CTK School, and OGorman as our kids were growing up. George never failed to say hello and ask how we were. I always enjoyed our conversations, however brief.
May His Soul Rest in Peace! Alleluia!
Gary & Deb Sieverding
George H Hahn
April 4, 2015
My deepest sympathies to the Willis family. Your father was a highly respected teacher at Washington High School during my years there (1964-1967). Students clamored to get into his classes. I was one who missed out. However, he took my interest in science as a very positive thing and encouraged me to hang around in the science labs after hours. He and Charles Sidlow always made extra time for science students. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
Carol Barnett Nesbitt
April 4, 2015
My deepest sympathies to you all! Your dad was such a lovely man - such a beautiful personality - so loving, so kind. We loved seeing him at various events at the Catholic Schools. Our hearts go out to his family. Know you will all be in our prayers! God bless you!
Binky Eppel Mills
April 4, 2015
What a man of deep character, faith and a wonderful sense of humor.He had a nickname and a rhyme for everybody he knew. When our family moved to Sioux Falls in 1970, we were neighbors with the Willis family. I quickly became friends with Teresa, and always had so much fun spending time at their house during my childhood. My sincere sympathy and love go out to each of you during this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tim Johnson
April 4, 2015
So sad to read this. George and Florence Willis were a big part of my parent's lives, and will be missed by them and others. Their kids all matched up with us as well. May he rest in peace.
April 3, 2015
Uncle George,
The man with the right advice all the time,,, When I was a kid he always took time to play catch with me and always told me to stay away from throwing curve balls so I wouldn't throw my arm out, When I student taught at Washington High School, he would always check on how I was doing. He was a man I always admired and respected, my Dad always called him "Junior" but it was meant in a tone of brotherly love.
To Aunt Florence and family I am sorry for your loss but I honestly believe if there was anyone I ever knew that was going to heaven it is Uncle George. I can't count the number of times I saw him speak at Sunday morning mass on TV.
As I have moved to Arizona and feel so far away from home, it strikes me funny that one first conversations I had here was with some ex-students from his class. As they praised him for being such a great teacher and they tried to remember the nicknames he had given them... it brought big a smile to my face and made proud to be his nephew.
Uncle George will always be in my heart, I want to you all to know I have always thought the world of him for many reasons...
He was the one person who gently but firmly calmed me down when my father passed away. I feel bad to not have seen him for such along time, but I will always remember him as a good man. So in this time of loss I will say to you what he said to me " Thomas, your father is okay he is in a better place now."
I want you all to know I think of you all from time to time, our family get togethers and the old days in Ethan... I miss that old house those big trees and gravel streets and I miss seeing all of you! You are all in my prayers...
Tom Willis
5949 W Aurora Dr
Glendale AZ
695-593-1532
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in George Willis's name
Memorial Events
for George Willis
People and places connected with George
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support George's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor George Willis's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
