Lester Wyman Willis

Born in Connecticut, he was deeply proud of his Norwegian heritage, carrying forward the legacy of a family whose roots in America date back to the early colonial era, arriving less than a decade after the Mayflower landed. He lived a life defined by quiet strength, integrity, and unwavering devotion to those he loved.

He served his country honorably in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War era as a saturation diver, a role that demanded exceptional courage, discipline, and resilience. During this time, he took part in a then-classified joint operation between the CIA and the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Halibut. Stationed beneath the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, he contributed to sensitive intelligence efforts focused on monitoring Soviet activity at the height of the Cold War. Though much of his work remained unspoken for many years, it stands as a lasting testament to his skill, bravery, and dedication.

His faith was personal and quietly held, reflected more in the way he lived than in what he said—through humility, kindness, and a steady moral compass.

Above all, he was a family man. A devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather, he was known affectionately as “Papa.” He brought wisdom, humor, and warmth into our lives, and his presence was a constant source of strength and comfort.

He is survived by his loving wife, his son, daughter-in-law, and three amazing grandsons. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

“Deyr fé, deyja frændur, deyr sjálfr it sama; en orðstírr deyr aldregi hveim er sér góðan getr.”

(“Cattle die, kinsmen die, and you yourself will die; but a good name never dies for the one who earns it.”)