Dr. Albert W. Willis

North Swanzey, N.H. - Dr. Albert W. Willis, 85, a Lowell native and former Chelmsford resident and retired Army colonel who had a medical practice in the Merrimack Valley, died Sunday, May 9, at his home in North Swanzey. He was the husband of Mildred L. (Ketchen) Willis, to whom he was married for 59 years.

He was born in Lowell on Jan. 1, 1919, son of the late Ethel (Grant) and Samuel R.W. Willis. Prior to moving to North Swanzey last year, he resided in Peterborough for 24 years, and Chelmsford for 26 years.

After graduating from Lowell High School in 1935, he received a bachelor's degree from Tufts College in 1940, and a doctor of medicine degree from Tufts Medical School in 1943. His internship was at Lowell General Hospital and his medical residency at Lowell's former St. Joseph's Hospital, which is now part of Saints Memorial Medical Center.

He served in the Army during World War II with the 77th Infantry Division in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He also served in the active Reserve, retiring at the rank of colonel. He had also been the commanding officer of the Army's 331st General Hospital in Lawrence, Mass.

Dr. Willis maintained a medical practice in the Lowell and Chelmsford area from 1947 to 1965. During that period, he served on the staff of the Lowell General Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital. He was also on the medical staff of the Veterans Administration clinic in Lowell from 1950 to 1979.

Col. Willis was a life member of the Reserve Officers Association and past president of Chapter, ROA, a life member of the Retired Officers Association , and a life member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.

Dr. Willis was also was a life member and 50-year Legion of Honor member of Kiwanis International, having served as president of both Lowell and Chelmsford Kiwanis clubs, as lieutenant governor of the New England District of Kiwanis. He also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board in Lowell since 1954. He served several years on the board of directors of the Lowell Visiting Nurse Association.

Upon retirement in 1978, he moved from Chelmsford to Peterborough and became a member of the Union Congregational Church, where he formerly served as a deacon. He volunteered for Senior Focus, the Red Cross and was a member of the Cheney-Armstrong Post #5 American Legion.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Carol E. Randall of Roxbury, Vt., Judith A. Willis of Littleton, and Nancy J. Wasowski of Alstead; as well as two grandsons, David W. Randall and Daniel K. Randall of Roxbury, Vt..