Obituary of John-Crailley Willis

WILLIS John (Jack) Crailley 1911 - 2006 John (Jack) Crailley Willis, beloved husband of Doreen Willis of Calgary, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2006 at the age of 95 years. John was born in Seattle, WA, on May 7, 1911. In 1940 he became a Naturalized Canadian citizen, and later married Doreen Nute in 1950. He held a forty-three-year career with Canadian Western Natural Gas Company, as well as Northwestern Utilities and Canadian Utilities as Director of Purchasing. This experience led him to become a past President of Purchasing Agents of Calgary and also a Director of the Canadian Purchasing Agents Association. John drove the school bus for Southland Transportation prior to selling Real Estate with Church Realty for three years, eventually operating his own real estate company, John Willis Realty, for a couple of years. During World War II, John served in RCAF in 6 Group Bomber Command based in Yorkshire England as Flight Lt. (Navigator). After two full tours he was transferred on loan to Eisenhower's headquarters at Versaille, France. John was assigned to Special Services Department as Liaison Officer under General Detasignay, First French Army in Bavaria, Germany. John was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Calgary, Life Time Member of Chamber of Commerce, and was a long-time member of the Earl Grey Golf Club, the National Association of Left-handed Golfers and the Royal Canadian Golf Association. Besides his loving wife of fifty-six years, Doreen, John is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Nick Simmonds, and Joanne and John Schofield; three sons and a daughter-in-law, John T. and Suzanne Willis, James Willis, and Jeff Willis. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Dan and Henry Simmonds, Will and Delia Schofield, Ryan, Kelty and Ayden Willis, and Cassidy Willis; sister-in-law Sylvia; niece, Marlee; and two nephews, Lee and Ross. A Gathering in John's honour will be held at Earl Grey Golf Club (6540 - 20 Street S.W.) on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor's choice. In living memory of Jack Willis, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: 403-243-8200.