George O. Willis

Mr. George O. Willis, 92, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016 in Owensboro. Born in Campbellsville, KY, the son of the late William Fred and Muriel Hord Willis, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, attended and graduated from flight school, and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. During World War II he served as a navigator-bombardier instructor, stationed in France and Tunisia in North Africa. Following the war he was employed Gulf Oil Distributing. He joined the Kentucky National Guard as a field artillery officer. During the Korean conflict, his unit was activated and he served in Germany as a captain. Moving to Owensboro, Mr. Willis became managing partner of Bartlett-Queen Outdoor Advertising. He retired as co-owner of Laundry Associates, a distributor of Speed-Queen commercial laundry equipment.

Mr. Willis served as president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Chamber of Commerce in 1969. He was a member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church and its Open Door Sunday school class, which he had served as president. He had been a member of the Owensboro Lions Club and the board of directors of the Mary Kendall Home. Mr. Willis served on the local board of the Selective Service System and was past-president of the Kentucky Outdoor Advertising Association. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marian Willis Ottman.

Mr. Willis is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marjorie; his daughter Susan Willis; his son Tim Willis and his wife Ann; and his grandson Kelt Willis, all of Richmond KY.

A memorial service for Mr. Willis, officiated by Rev. Darren Brandon and Rev. Greg Rose, will be at 12:00 noon Monday in the sanctuary of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in the church chapel from 10:30 until 11:45 Monday. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Camp Loucon, 8044 Anneta Road, Leitchfield, KY 42754 or the Boulware Center, 609 Wing Avenue, Owensboro, KY 42303. Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.