Richard "Dick" Bert Willis, 82, of Marion Station passed on to his wife and heavenly life at home on June 19, 2016, after a protracted battle with cancer. Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania on May 17th 1934, he was the son of the late Herbert and Fern Willis. Dick lived in several towns in upstate New York during his childhood. He attended high school in Malone, NY, and graduated from St. Lawrence University with a business degree. He followed with an MBA from Cornell University.
Dick took his first job in 1957 at Moore Business Forms in Snow Hill, Maryland. While on the Eastern Shore found his true love and best friend, Gretna Ream Willis. Dick and Gretna married in 1960 and soon after left the Eastern Shore, as Dick's career took him to become Comptroller for several manufacturing firms in North Carolina and Texas. In 1980, they decided to leave the corporate life to put down roots and returned to the family farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. There he became the CFO and Treasurer for Stoney Point Duck Decoys, a small company in Virginia. At the age of 50, Dick decided to retire and support Gretna in her new career, while working on the family farm. Dick eagerly took on his new role, putting in the same tireless work in the garden, fields, and woods. He maintained his strong interest in current events and markets, but could be found most often on his tractor. He had a passion for the family farm, and would drop everything to go fishing or hunting with family and friends. In 2015, losing Gretna his soulmate of 55 years was devastating, but he was always grateful for their life together and continued their shared interest of putting others first. Dick was first and foremost a family man who believed in helping others, and was very active in Asbury United Methodist Church in Crisfield, Maryland, for more than 30 years. Dick did not just believe in honesty, hard work, and providing for others, but spent his life dedicated to it. While he is at peace with his beloved Gretna, he will be truly missed by his family and friends alike.
Dick is survived by his children, Richard Willis, Clark Willis and Krista Holt, and their spouses Denise (Clark) and Chris (Krista). He has 9 grandchildren; Rachael, Laura, and David from Richard and Elaine, Jessica, Madison, Noah, Abigail and Sam from Clark and Denise and William from Krista and Chris.
Dick is survived by two brothers, Charles "Chuck" Willis and Robert "Bob" Willis.
Besides his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Gretna Ream Willis.
The Viewing will be held on Friday, June 24, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Henman Funeral Home, 11673 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at 3:00 p.m., preceded by a viewing at 2:00 pm at Asbury United Methodist Church located at 3380 Lawsonia Rd, Crisfield, Maryland, where Dick was a longtime member. Fellowship and food will be provided downstairs by Asbury United Methodist church following the service.