Kenneth F. Wills Jr.

In keeping with his wishes, a private family gathering will be held for Kenneth Forman Wills, Jr. who passed away on December 31st after a debilitating illness. Ken was born at Fabiola Hospital in Oakland, California on August 21, 1916 to Kenneth and Eva Schrank Wills. Ken was a third generation Californian whose family came to California by covered wagon in the 1840s. He attended Franklin Grammar School, Glenview Junior High and Oakland High School, where he met and dated his wife to be, June M. O'Connor. Ken was an outstanding athlete and a member of the Oakland High Football team that won the OAL Championship. He was also captain of the golf team and ran the mile for the track team. He graduated from Oakland High in December 1933. Ken was recruited by UC Berkley on a football scholarship to begin the fall of 1934, where he played freshman and varsity football. To encourage him to accept the scholarship the coaching staff arranged an around the world working trip for Ken and another player as ordinary seamen on the Dollar Line ship, the President Hayes, in early 1934. They shipped out through the Golden Gate and traveled to Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, China, Egypt, India and Europe, returning to San Francisco via the Panama Canal.

Ken and June were married on November 18, 1939. During World War II Ken worked for Stuart Oxygen supplying acetylene and hydrogen to wartime supplying acetylene and hydrogen to wartime shipyards. He later owned and operated a wholesale produce business in Oakland and was part owner of a restaurant in Jack London Square. In 1969 Ken and his family moved to Aptos. He was the owner-proprietor of the Del Mar Club in downtown Santa Cruz until his retirement in 1985. Ken and June traveled to many parts of the world, enjoying their adventures and the friends they made along the way. Ken was a lifelong golfer, once being named Mr. Golf of Oakland. He enjoyed golf five mornings a week at Aptos Seascape for most of his retirement.

Ken will be greatly missed by his devoted family and friends. He was sadly preceded in death by his daughters Nancy Ruth Larson and Ellen Mary Lani. Ken is survived by his loving wife and partner of 66 years, June M. Wills; son Kenneth F. Wills III of Hillsboro, Oregon; daughter and son-in-law, Margie and Eddie Childers of Santa Cruz; daughter, Patricia Carol Meek and Michael Bell of Tulsa, Oklahoma; son, Timothy Spain Wills and fiancée, Sian Bishop, of Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren Jerry Childers; Timmy Childers and wife, Becky; Kristin Larson; Karen Evans and husband, Marc; Christopher Wills and wife, Dara; Brian Meek; Jack Meek; Travis Meek; Rebecca Lani; Benjamin Lani; great-grandchildren Brittany McPherson, Sylvan Chambers and Lance Evens. Ken is also survived by close family members Kay Borowicz, Ed and Barbara Larson, and Mark and Sherl Meek. Ken will be forever cherished by his family for his kind and generous spirit, his passion for all sports, and his love of all creatures, large and small.

Ken received compassionate care from Sara Alfaro and the Wills family wishes to express their appreciation for her devotion and her gentle way. The Wills family would also like to thank the staff at Pacific Coast Manor and the Hospice Caring Project for their kind and professional care.

Contributions are preferred to Hospice Caring Project, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.

Arrangements are by Santa Cruz Memorial Oakwood Chapel.