Gerald Willis
March 01, 1929 - May 10, 2021
Obituary
Gerald “Jerry” Harry Willis, age 92, of Saginaw, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021, at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital. The son of Harry and Theresa (Willing) Willis, Gerald was born March 1, 1929, in Reese, Michigan.
Gerald began carving wood as a young boy and eventually went on to become a master carver, a title he enjoyed for 30 years. He was a part of the Tri-City Woodcarvers where he had served as a Past President and was also instrumental in initiating the carousel at the Saginaw Children's Zoo. He was given the Saginaw Altrusa Award in the late 1990's for his work on the carousel. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Gerald was a Saginaw firefighter for a period of time before getting into the building trade and starting his own business, “Willis Builders”. He was a lifetime member of the Home Builders Association, for which he had also served as a Past President. He started playing the bagpipes in the 1970's and played with the Elf Khurafeh Highlanders in Flint, Michigan. Gerald was a member of the Sons of Italy and he was a Mason who earned the honor of being a 32nd degree member. He was an active outdoor sportsman who enjoyed hunting (especially moose) and fishing.
Gerald is survived by his loving children, Rosemary (Jonathan) Wade, Theresa (Paul) Sawicki, Jacqueline Willis, and Maureen (Jay) Pluger; dear grandchildren, Stephani (Christopher) Carlson, Elliott Sawicki, Cameron Sawicki, Brooklyn Pluger, Jason (Sara) Pluger, and Spencer Pluger; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Marion Siler, Frances Levi, Josephine McMahon, Lucille Rogers, Evelyn Siler, Theresa Jerome, Norman Willis, Dorothy Erskine, and Harold Willis.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, May 14, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until time of Eulogy Service with Military Honors at 11:00 a.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. In accordance with current state mandated restrictions, safe distancing and limitations of 25 people gathered within the funeral home will be observed. Attendees are also kindly asked to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home, per state requirements.
For those who wish to attend services virtually, please use the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89897697002
Meeting ID: 898 9769 7002
Memorials in honor of Gerald may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Processing Center, Post Office Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
Gerald began carving wood as a young boy and eventually went on to become a master carver, a title he enjoyed for 30 years. He was a part of the Tri-City Woodcarvers where he had served as a Past President and was also instrumental in initiating the carousel at the Saginaw Children's Zoo. He was given the Saginaw Altrusa Award in the late 1990's for his work on the carousel. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Gerald was a Saginaw firefighter for a period of time before getting into the building trade and starting his own business, “Willis Builders”. He was a lifetime member of the Home Builders Association, for which he had also served as a Past President. He started playing the bagpipes in the 1970's and played with the Elf Khurafeh Highlanders in Flint, Michigan. Gerald was a member of the Sons of Italy and he was a Mason who earned the honor of being a 32nd degree member. He was an active outdoor sportsman who enjoyed hunting (especially moose) and fishing.
Gerald is survived by his loving children, Rosemary (Jonathan) Wade, Theresa (Paul) Sawicki, Jacqueline Willis, and Maureen (Jay) Pluger; dear grandchildren, Stephani (Christopher) Carlson, Elliott Sawicki, Cameron Sawicki, Brooklyn Pluger, Jason (Sara) Pluger, and Spencer Pluger; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Marion Siler, Frances Levi, Josephine McMahon, Lucille Rogers, Evelyn Siler, Theresa Jerome, Norman Willis, Dorothy Erskine, and Harold Willis.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, May 14, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until time of Eulogy Service with Military Honors at 11:00 a.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. In accordance with current state mandated restrictions, safe distancing and limitations of 25 people gathered within the funeral home will be observed. Attendees are also kindly asked to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home, per state requirements.
For those who wish to attend services virtually, please use the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89897697002
Meeting ID: 898 9769 7002
Memorials in honor of Gerald may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Processing Center, Post Office Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
DW
Don Welch
Other •
Gerald always had a story to tell and they were never short but they were always enjoyable. He will be missed by the Highlanders. Peace brother.
SH
Sarah Hoffman
Other •
Willis treated me like one of his own grandchildren. I sure will miss his stories, gifts, and friendship heart
TF
The Marion Siler Family
Other •
The Marion Siler Family purchased the Garden Accent Stone - "Wherever a Beautiful Soul..." for the family of Gerald Harry Willis.
PG
Polly Gordon
Other •
RoseMary, Theresa, Jackie and Maureen,
So sorry for the loss of your Dad...So glad I was able to come to the funeral home today. Seeing all of you girls brought back a lot of memories. I will always remember your Dad's dry sense of humor. What a great Man!!
Polly (Stockmeyer) Gordon
TK
Thomas Krajkowski
Other •
Maureen, Theresa and Paul
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your families.
Peace to you all,
Tom and Diane Krajkowski
CP
Christopher Putnam
Other •
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing, Theresa — everlasting peace to you and yours,
Christopher Putnam