Willis E Becker

Willis "Bill" Becker, 93, of Raymond, passed away March 21, 2016. He was born July 16,1922, in Enola. Bill graduated from Enola High School. Ensign, Willis Becker, WWll, can still recall the day he was drafted into the U.S. Army and how he ended up in the U.S. Navy as an operational flight instructor. He was in North Dakota picking up potatoes when he got a letter from his mother in Enola. He had two weeks to report to the Army. He went home the next day and visited the Navy recruiting office. An interest in mechanic work is what led him to pursue enlistment in the Navy. He said he wanted to get into the mechanical field in the Air Force. The Navy was begging for V-5 cadets for pilot training. The recruiter told him he could send me to Kansas City, Mo., for V-5 testing and if he failed the testing he still would have time to get into mechanical training for the Air Force. He passed the test in October of 1942 in Kansas City and returned to Nebraska where he waited to be called for training. The call did not come for five months. His first stop was Iowa's Cornell College for physical and educational training for 12 weeks. From there he was sent to Geila College in Arizona where his actual flight training began. Next was training at Delmont College in California. There he learned to swim which was something he was never very good at. He continued on to schools in Kansas and Illinois. Then he was sent to a naval base in Pensacola, Fla., where he completed his training and received his commission as an ensign. He was allowed to pick the type of plane he wanted to fly which was a torpedo bomber (at Opa Locka Air Force Base). Bill went through 10 more weeks of operation training during which he learned how to land his plan on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean. At the end of training he would be stationed in Florida as an over water and navigation and torpedo bomber instructor for the next six months. Before he began his instructing duties he was granted 10 days leave. He returned to Madison and married his sweetheart, lola (Bim) Reeves, on December 1,1944, and moved to Florida during his enlistment. After the Navy years they returned to Madison and farmed until 1955, after which they moved to Lincoln. Bill was a retired IBEW Local 265 electrician. Bill and Bim loved dancing to Lawrence Welk and admission was 10 cents. Bill enjoyed playing cards (Davey pitch games) hunting, camping, bowling, running dog trials and fishing. He was an active member in the American Legion, Lions Club (monthly breakfasts), VFW, IBEW Local 265 and Moose Lodge. Preceding Bill in death were his parents Adam and Gladys (Fichter) Becker, younger brothers Robert Becker and Clifford (Buster) Becker and wife, lola (Bim) Reeves Becker. Also preceding him in death were his nephews Dennis Larson, Mark Reeves and niece Susie Larson Donley and Doug and Susie's son, Terry (great nephew). His younger sister, Roberta Larson resides at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, N.D. Bill is survived by his three daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Don White of Valparaiso, Mary and Jim Young and Billie and Bob Mertz of Lincoln. Bill has three grandsons and their wives, Troy and Kris Young, Trent and Jill Young and Will and Tehia White, all of Lincoln. Bill has six great-grandchildren: Randi and Karli Young and Haylee, Skylar, Brayden and Carsyn Young. Bill has two great-granddaughters, Hadley White and Marilyn Sawyer. Bill is survived by many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Uncle Bill. Nieces and nephews: Steven and Shirley, Pam and Dan, Jon and Jane, Kris, Clint and Anita, Cindy and Barry, Clayt and Kay, Christopher, Brenda, Debbie and Ray, Doug, Bob, Timmy and Jamie, Corby and Terri, Dale and Denise, Tom and Diane, Jimmy and Kristi and their families and many dear friends. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses, CNAs, PT's and staff of Holmes Lake Rehabilitation and Care Center for taking such great care of Bill and St. Elizabeth Hospital Progressive Care doctor, nurses and staff. Memorials may be given to the family for future designation. A private graveside family gathering will be held after his cremation at a future date at Lincoln Memorial.