WILLIS, James Earnest (Jim)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, November 13, 2013 James Earnest Willis passed away on Nov. 9, 2013, at Hospice Family Care in Prescott, Ariz., after a brief illness. He was born on June 21, 1924, in Doniphan, Mo. Jim married the love of his life, Velma Gilly, in Barrington, Ill., on June 17, 1944. They moved to Phoenix where he worked for A-1 Brewery and Co-Op Dairy. On Dec. 31, 1953, they moved to Prescott, where he and a partner bought Thumb Butte Dairy and a Chino Valley dairy farm to create Prescott Farms Dairy. They built a bottling plant on Miller Valley Road and did home delivery until they sold to Shamrock Dairy in 1964. Jim and a partner developed land in the Prescott area until his retirement in 1989. He sat on the City Council and was president of the Chamber of Commerce during the 1970s. Jim was also a member of the Prescott Moose Lodge for 60 years and held the highest honor of Pilgrim Degree. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Jim and Velma enjoyed traveling throughout the west in their motorhome. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Velma; six children, Bonnie (Wayne) Butt of Hereford, Ariz., Richard of Lubbock, Texas, Patricia of Phoenix, Jerry (Joyce) of Peoria, Judy (Butch) Salyers of Prescott and Donald (Diana) of Prescott; his sister Alma Dean Mosley of Prescott; and a brother Charles of Phoenix; nine grandchildren, James, Kristine, Kathleen, Stacy, Sara, Laura, Reagan, Ryan and Valerie; 12 great grandchildren, James, Madison, Keely, Trace, Kasey, Nathan, Molly, Tatumn, Ethan, Elaina, Morgan and Amanda. Jim was preceded in death by his son James; brothers Duane and Rodger; and parents Ray and Josie Willis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim's name to the Prescott Little League, 1042 Willow Creek Road, #169, Prescott, AZ 86301. No services are planned at this time. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Jim's guestbook. Information provided by survivors.
Posted by Sharla on November 15, 2013

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