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James Willis Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for James Willis
Logan Gelster
December 28, 2008
Dear Great Grandpa,
This is your newest great grandson. Mommy has told me a lot about you so far and when I get older I will read about you in my baby book. Thank You for holding on until Mommy and me got there. I Love You!
Love,
Logan
Melanie Willis - Gelster
December 28, 2008
Dear Grandpa & Grandma,
This is very difficult for me to write...you have both been there for me through my trials and tribulations. I wasn't the best behaved child growing up, but you were both always there to lend a helping hand or even escaping to Virginia for a few weeks during the summer. I remember going on convention trips..especially Ocean City, I remember the ice cream money that Grandpa used to slip to me before he would go back to VA. Grandpa you always gave encouraging words and told me to stay strong during some of my struggles in life. This Christmas was very hard for me ....you and Gram always were at Dad's house Christmas morning...that was the tradition. This year we went to visit you...boy do I miss you! I miss you sitting at dad's kitchen table in your gray pants and red plaid shirt....eating bologna and slipping a piece to Jack on the sly. I miss you sitting on the couch and falling asleep saying prayers and snoring. I miss you mumbling something under your breath when Gram happened to make you mad. I didn't get to see you much the last 14 months because of a complicated pregnancy....but it is ironic how everything happened with the brith of Logan. I was bound and determined to see you as soon as Logan was born. I remember getting the call that Saturday that you were back in the hospital ...... I just sat in my dining room and sobbed! I just kept asking God to please let you hang in there so I could see you one last time. That Saturday night my water broke and Logan was born Sunday. Logan and I traveled out to VA to see you and we arrived Sunday evening. You held Logan's foot and asked if he was real....I said yes Grandpa, this is Logan. Monday morning you took your last breath. I had made it just in time....I'm not sure if you knew we were there, but I feel like you waited for me to get there. Thank You! We buried you on Saturday representing the end of a life and on Sunday Logan was baptized showing the beginning of a new life. I firmly believe that you had a hand in everything with Logan. There is one important lesson that I took away from your passing.....I wanted our picture taken with you but you were sleepy so I said I woulkd wait til tomorrow....I've learned we need to live for today and not wait til tomorrow because tomorrow may never come!! With that being said there is another one of your sayings I hold dear to my heart....."You always said, So Long..Never Good-Bye because Good-Bye.s are Forever." So Grandpa.........."so long.........I know you are still with me watching over me................and until we meet again..........I love you always and forever! XOXO Melanie
Katie Willis
December 26, 2008
Merry Christmas Grandpa! I love and miss you more than anything. Thank you for everything you have taught me, and given me. I will take it with me forever. You were a great man, and you will live forever within all of us. You still are and always will be my leader!
Bob Krul
December 9, 2008
I could not have asked for a better mentor and friend. You taught me well and I am grateful for having known you for all these years. Your memory will stay with me for a long, long time. Farewell Friend and Union Brother! May God keep you in peace in love.
Phillip Vaughn
December 9, 2008
Sorry to hear of the passing of a real great guy. As a member of local 25 and an agent I am sorry to hear of Jims passing. Phillip Vaughn
Jim Jackson
December 8, 2008
To the entire Willis family, it was my privilege to know Jim for more than 15 years. I served on a number of committees with him as a Corporate Representative. While we did not always agree, he was always a gentleman and scholar of the truest form. I shall miss him.
Old Friend
December 8, 2008
If you measure a man by the amount of friends he had, the bar has been set pretty high. Jim you were loved by each and every person you ever helped, gave a job to, listened to, or just gave a hug to in their time of need. We are all better people just because we were fortunate enough to have known you. Not only were you a great labor leader you were a great Husband, Father, Grandfather, GreatGrandfather, Uncle and Friend. So Long old friend I will see you again and maybe I can help you orginize a Union for the angels, We couldn't think of a better BA to lead them. . You will surley be missed but never forgotten.
Ryan Willis
December 6, 2008
He was not only a great man, but a father, and a great friend to me. I love him with all my heart and will sincerely miss him for eternity. I thank each and everyone of you for showing and sharing your kind words and thoughts. As i grew up i always enjoyed being in his prescence and all i heard when my dad talked of him was how he would literally give the shirt off his back for anyone in need. Like my dad said he just has been given a new assignment in life- Anothe picket line to walk, Another labor union to run,etc. He is in a much better place now. I was very fortunate to of spent time with him this past weekend around the time of thanksgiving. I enjoyed it very much, although his condition was bad he still showed the utmost love he could for all of us and spending time with him for the last time was truly special too me. A part of my dear grandpa's favorite song by an irishman singer. "And i never will forget him, for he made me what i am, and i love him, and i'll miss him, the Old Man." Just remember "When the hourglass runs out of sand, you can't flip it over and start again- cherish and enjoy every breathe god gives you." RIP Grandpa Jim. Love you forever and always.
Jan Borman
December 6, 2008
To the Willis family,
I extend my sincere condolences on your loss. Jim, Sr was a cornerstone of the labor movement, his leadersip spilling over to other unions. It was my pleasure to have met him while an officer of CWA 1122. He sits with the leader of the building trades, Jesus, the carpenter . May he rest in peace.
Bob and Beth Pelowski
December 6, 2008
To the entire Willis Family,
our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of loss. We were very sorry to hear about his passing. May he rest in peace.
your daughter Pat Chudzik
December 5, 2008
Not really sure if it is the right thing to be writing in this book but being raised by a man Jim I guess I can do anything I want as he has taught me. I want to take this time to thank everyone who came to see my dad and if you were unable to do so that you took the time to send flowers or say a pray.. After two days of viewing I was amazed at the amount of people who came to show their respect and the amount of flowers that were sent to the funeral parlour. The lose I feel is unspeakable and very hard to bear but the support that each and everyone of you gave my family was soooo remarkable. There is a big void in my life that started on Monday when my dad passed on. I hope with time it gets easier but no one will ever know until you are there the pain I have come to learn. Once again I would like to thank each and everyone of you. I also want to thank God for giving me the greatest man in the world to be my dad. He is truly my hero and I want to personally thank my mom, my sister Kathy and my brotherinlaw Rich for all the time and effort you took out of your own life to make my dads life more comfortable during these pass fourteen months. I know it has been a difficult time for all but the three of you should all carry your heads high for a job well done. And last but not least Dad I want to thank you for being the man you were. For teaching me about life and most of all for the happiest fifty years of my life. I will forever hold you in the palm of my hand until I see you again and I ask God to take care of you and everyone of us. I LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU FOREVER. XOXOXOXO
Jerry Collins
December 5, 2008
Dear Jim,Mike,Tim & The Entire Willis Family.
May your family find strength and peace knowing that your father is resting peacefully. It's times like these that we reach to each other to ease our sorrow. Your strength is in your family.
The Collins Family, Jerry,Michelle,Abigail&Jalen
John Magney
December 5, 2008
Jim
I am very sorry for your loss. I never met your father but if he was anything like you he made a positive difference in peoples lives and in the end that is what our journey is all about. John Magney
Bill Knapp
December 4, 2008
Dear Mary Jane and the Willis Family,
May God bless and keep you all. You are in our prayers. Jim was such an important person in my life. I was honored to have known and worked with him for so many years.
He was an example to the men who served with and under him. The Ironworker's Union has lost it's heart. The American Labor movement has lost a true hero.
All of our love and prayers, Bill Knapp and Family
Sheila Shanahan (Lyons)
December 4, 2008
Jim & Sheila - I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad is in a better place now. My mom and dad are sorry for your loss as well. They are out of town. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
just me
December 4, 2008
uncle jim; i told you at my fathers funneral how proud i was of you. i still hold that pride inside and will alway and forever. i will miss you ,love you , and think of you with pride.
Peggy, Mary and Billy O'Meara
December 4, 2008
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. My late father William was a friend an Ironworker for many years with Mr. Willis and always remarked that friends like him were few in life. Our deepest condolences.
steven kahler
December 4, 2008
To the Willis family our thoughts and prayers to all of you God Bless you and may God be with you and give you strength.
frank pluff
December 4, 2008
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Frank Palombaro
December 4, 2008
To the Willis family,
My thoughts and prayers to all of you during this very sad time. I played football with bobbie in hamburg Littleloop football many many years ago. I am also a 3rd generation United Steelworker and know what sacrifices Mr. Willis and also my father made so that we can enjoy a good life today. I ask that god reach out and comfort all of you during this time and that he is always there to lean on.
Don & Linda Lane
December 4, 2008
To the Willis Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of sorrow. Remember and cherish the happy moments that you shared together.
Jackie & Ahmad Zakeri
December 3, 2008
Dear Mary Jane, Pat and the Willis family,
May fond memories of such a wonderful man comfort you at this time of sorrow. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Nanette Lester
December 3, 2008
I have never met anyone who did not think that Jim was a very special person, we will all miss him. Our prayers are with his family.
Kathi Reynolds
December 3, 2008
Dear Jim, Sheila & the entire family - Special thoughts and prayers being sent your way during this most difficult time.
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