Lillian M. “Billie” Willis, 98, of Huntsville, Ut. , passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in her Huntsville home surrounded by family. A celebration of life will be 4:00 PM, Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the American Legion, Post 129, Huntsville UT.
Funeral and cremains internship services will be held in West Covina Ca. at Forest Lawn, at a future date. Lillian Mae Dittrich was born in Royal Oak, MI to Joseph and Teresa Dittrich on July 12, 1920 on the family homestead.
She went to school at Royal Oak High School and graduated in 1938. She married James L. Willis on November 17, 1947 in Pasadena, CA. Lillian and James Willis had 3 children, Larry D. Willis, James P. Willis and Jamie T. Willis.
Lillian “Billie” Willis and her family resided for 50 years in Covina, CA. She and her husband ran the Pomona Fish Market in Pomona, CA. for 18 years, creating a community staple that is still open and running today.
When Billie was only 21 years old, she was hired on as one of the first “Rosie the Riveter” women at the Willow Run Ford Bomber plant, in Ypsilanti MI, in 1943, where they produced a bomber plane an hour. The plant specialized in the B-24 Liberators a heavy bomber. After moving with her parents and siblings to California she was hired on to continue her work at Lockheed in Burbank CA.
, where she was appointed to prepare and distribute medical kits for the planes, and she built a rapport with the fighter pilots that were awaiting their plane assignments. In her later years, she worked as a test kitchen demonstrator for Southern California Gas Company in Downey, CA. for 15 years.
Billie took enjoyment in hand crafting gifts for family and friends. She loved her monthly poker and bunko games with her sister Jean and friends. She was a recognized and awarded poet, who found great joy in creating poem greeting cards for her close family and friends.
Lillian “Billie” Willis is preceded in death by her husband James L. Willis, and sons Larry D. Willis, and James P. Willis. Lillian “Billie” Willis is survived by; daughter Jamie Brooks, son in law Brad Brooks and grandchildren Jayme Willis, James P. Willis Jr., Samantha Brooks, Keeley Brooks, and great grandchildren Nicholas Evans, Trenton Willis, Drake Willis, and Logan Willis. Memorials and flowers may be sent to American Legion Post 129, Huntsville Ut.
Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Legion in Lillian “Billie” Willis’ name. Billie took great pleasure in all American Legion activities and was their beloved local mascot. The family of Lillian “Billie” Willis would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Tender Care Hospice and her nurse Amy.
The Chaplin Stephanie, who brought solace and support to Billie and her family in the final days or Billie’s life.
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