Doris Willis

Doris Willis passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 30, 2014, at the age of 92. Doris was a loving,

daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend. Born on July 7, 1921, in

Oakland, CA, to Martha and Ed Holsworth, Doris and her older brother Ed, Jr. were always very close siblings.

Doris met the love of her life, Hal Bradford Willis, on a blind date in the summer of 1943. Hal was a handsome

pilot and flight instructor in the Army Air Corps. Doris was the Assistant to the Purchasing Officer for Henry J.

Kaiser company in Oakland. She and Hal married on April 15, 1944 in Colorado Springs. Doris became a

member of the National Association of Air Force Women during WWII. Military life took them to many towns in

Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma, before settling in Los Angeles after the war.

In 1954, Doris and Hal moved their young family “into the countryside” of West Covina, CA. ‘Dori’, as she was

fondly known, and Hal raised their children, played golf together at South Hills Country Club, and built their

business of Ram Golf Incorporated. Approaching retirement, they moved to Coronado in 1980 to be closer to

their family. Shortly afterwards, Dori lost her cherished husband suddenly in 1981 due to an automobile collision.

Despite this tragic loss, she carried on, keeping a lovely home and close relationships with her family and

many friends. She provided a peaceful home for her elderly mother, Martha, until her passing.

Dori was a beautiful, gracious woman, for whom the glass was always half full, and often running over. She

saw the best in everyone and found deep joy in even the most ordinary of tasks. Her love of family was always

at the forefront, whether it was enjoying holiday celebrations, after-school activities with her grandchildren or a

stroll on the beach. Dori filled her home with antiques, tended her prized rose garden, and attended Coronado’s

Concerts in the Park. She stayed in touch with girlfriends from grade-school, as they shared the many

adventures of their families throughout their adult lives. She loved to dance, and was a radiant and accomplished

ballroom dancer. She played bridge and golf, collected antiques, traveled in the US and abroad, and

stayed active in the Coronado Woman’s Club. She studied the life, science and art of Beatrix Potter, and collected

figurines of characters from Potter’s stories, ultimately donating a full set of Beatrix Potter children’s

books and figurines to the Coronado Public Library.

Most importantly she leaves a legacy of optimism, joy and love. She is survived by her three children: Pamela

Kay Willis (Warren Shafer), Valerie Ann Willis, and Bradford Willis (Laura Plumb); five Grandchildren: Gregory

Holcomb (Todd Nickey), Kimberly Jeanne Holcomb Triolo (Andrew Triolo), Sarah Elizabeth Neil-Powell (Travis

Powell), Amy Browning Neil, and Morgan Bradford Willis; and five Great-Grandchildren: Ashley, Jackson, and

Sawyer Powell, and Madalene and Drew Triolo.

Doris believed in living life to the fullest. Her happy spirit was evident in her enjoyment of her family and many

friends. We are all grateful for so many wonderful years with her. We will always remember her thoughtfulness,

love and happy times together, and we will hold her in our hearts forever. The family will hold a private

gathering to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, Dori would be honored by donations in her memory to the

Coronado Summer Concert Series (mail to Coronado Promenade Concerts, Inc., P.O. Box 182072, Coronado,

CA 92178).gements under the direction of Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary, San Diego, CA.