WILLIS, William R. (Bill)

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Wednesday, September 19, 2012 William R. “Bill” Willis passed away peacefully in Tucson on September 11, 2012, surrounded by his family. Bill was born on February 14, 1926, in Moundsville, W. Va. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jean Louise Evans Willis, on May 2 of this year. Bill and Jean shared seventy years together, dating in high school and marrying in 1946 when both were students at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Bill trained as a Naval aviator during World War II and, following the cessation of hostilities, earned his B.S. degree in Physical Chemistry. He then matriculated at Oklahoma State University where he earned his Masters degree and his Ph.D. in Physics in 1954. After receiving his doctorate, Bill worked at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Tennessee, where he engaged in several projects related to nuclear energy. His love of teaching, however, led him back to his alma mater where he chaired the Physics Department at West Virginia Wesleyan from 1957 to 1965. Following a stint with the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., he then joined the faculty at Northern Arizona University in 1967 to become the chair of the fledgling NAU Physics Department. He was named the Faculty Member of the Year by the NAU Honors Council in 1971, and became a Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1989. In 1975, Bill was appointed to and later (1979-80) chaired the Arizona Atomic Energy Commission. During his tenure as chair, he presided over the administrative proceedings regarding the excessive release of radioactive tritium from the American Atomics Corporation factory in Tucson. After a lengthy hearing, the factory ultimately closed down. In 1983, Bill co-authored an acclaimed study of the physics of leaping animals and the evolution of preflight, initially published by the American Naturalist. He presented the findings of the study to an international audience in Germany in 1984. Bill’s fascination with flight was also reflected in his hang gliding and in his lengthy service with the Civil Air Patrol in northern Arizona where he attained the rank of Major. He was an avid pilot most of his life. From 1989 through 1993 Bill and Jean resided in Europe where he taught extension courses for the University of Maryland to American servicemen stationed in Germany and England. In 1994 Bill and Jean relocated to Tucson where they lived the remainder of their lives. Bill embraced life in the southwest, becoming an avid hiker and river runner. He particularly loved the Grand Canyon. In the late 1970’s, he could be found on the trails loaded down with scientific equipment. Concerns about the effects of the Four Corners Power Station led him and NAU colleagues to devise a system for monitoring particulates in the pristine air. Bill loved to introduce family and friends to the joys and travails of the great outdoors. His children and grandchildren often swap tales of hikes and floats with Grandpa. Bill is survived by his children, Jeffrey Willis of Tucson; Steven Willis (Ann Cummins) of Oakland, CA and Flagstaff; Dr. Catherine Willis (Dr. Peter Rowson) of San Francisco, CA; and, John Willis of Scottsdale. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bill Willis was loved, cherished and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Willis Family Scholarship in Physics, care of the Northern Arizona University Foundation (University.Advancement@NAU.edu). A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by BRING’S BROADWAY CHAPEL. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.