John R. "Fat Rat" Wills

passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016,

at Genesis Healthcare after an extended

illness. He was born September 22, 1949

in Lancaster, the son of the late Robert

and Agnes (Knotts) Wills. He was also

preceded in death by his father-in-law,

Dallas Hinkle; and sister-in-law, Vicki

Valentine.

John was a 1967 graduate of Circleville

High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy,

serving during the Vietnam War. He

had worked at the Circleville Herald upon graduation and was

manager of Circleville’s State Liquor Store

until it was privatized. John was a member of

the Elks and was a lifetime member of the

AMVETS and VFW. John enjoyed telling

stories and jokes, never met a

stranger and was always the life of the party.

He and wife Lisa loved having friends and family

gather at their place to watch sports or celebrate

holidays. He was a huge fan of the OSU Buckeyes

and Cleveland Browns. John, along with several friends,

built what is known as “the Deer Cabin” was able to enjoy

going there for many years. He also enjoyed the game

of golf and on the day he was diagnosed with Multiple

Sclerosis, at age 50, hit a hole in one.

John is survived by his loving wife, Lisa (Hinkle) Wills;

step-sons, Scott (Amy) Ferrell and Chad Ferrell; step-grandson,

Luke Ferrell; brother, Peter Wills; nephew, Ben Wills;

niece, Cindy (Lonnie) Smith; great nephews, Jackson and Brandon Smith;

and mother-in-law, Sybil Hinkle.

An Elks Service will be held at 4:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Service on

Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger

Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until the time of

the service. Military service will be provided by AMVETS Post 2256

Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to National MS Society, PO Box 4527,

New York, NY 10163.