Floyd Jerry Willis

Floyd was born in Salina, Oklahoma on September 3, 1932 to Walter and Emma Willis. He was raised on a farm in Northeastern Oklahoma with his siblings Buck, Almeta, Dave, Erven, Dude, Bobbi, Tony, and Frances. After graduating from Pryor High School in 1951, Floyd joined the United States Air Force. His career in the Air Force took him all around the world, and would eventually lead him to the love of his life, Elsie. During his distinguished Air Force career from September 1951 to July 1973, he worked in aircraft maintance, search and rescue, and held many supervisory roles. One of his favorite early assignments was with the 417th squadron in Hahn Germany, where he had the pleasure of working alongside Chuck Yeager. He also served in Thailand during the Vietnam War, servicing his favorite plane the F-4 Phantom. Floyd finished his career as a Master Sergeant on the ground crew, search and rescue, for the U-2 and other aircraft. He retired from Davis Monthan Air Force Base, July 1973, in Tucson, Az.

After completing his assignment with the 417th, Floyd was sent to Bentwaters, Suffolk, England. It was here where he met Elsie May Thurston, a waitress at the flight line café. After many cups of coffee and ham and cheese sandwiches, Elsie said he needed “fatting up”, they began a romance that would last more than 5 decades. Floyd married his British bride on March 11th, 1961 in the chapel of Blaxhall, Suffolk, England. Floyd and Elsie enjoyed many years in England with their 3 children Pete, Steve, and Tricia.

After retiring from the Air Force, Floyd began a second career at Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon. He worked as a coordinator until October 31, 1997. Floyd made many lifelong friends and memories at Hughes.

Some of Floyd’s interests included wood working, gardening, tinkering with engines, and grilling. He made many fine wood crafts, including his famous potty chairs for his grandchildren. His garden this spring, as in all the years past, is full of beautiful flowers and hummingbirds. Floyd was famous for his rum balls, and his flank steak. Elsie and Floyd enjoyed traveling, especially to Pryor, Minnesota, and England. Floyd also enjoyed walking his basset hound Rusty.

His grandchildren Zachary, Michael, Anthony, Ashleigh, Alison, Matheau, Annelise, and Victoriana, were so important to him, and he was a wonderful grandfather. He was always there for them, and they were always able to make him laugh. He loved children.

After an amazing 4 year battle with lung and brain cancer, Floyd passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of April 3, 2012, his family at his side. We would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Arizona Cancer Center North, UMC, and Hospice Family Care for the loving and dedicated care they provided him. Special thanks to Dr. Linda Garland, Dr. Nam Nguyen, NP Annie Glennie, and Meredith Maddock RN. Their expert care, coupled with his determination, gave us many precious years with him.

Loved and deeply missed, Floyd is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elsie, sons Peter (Rose) Willis of Mesa, and Steve Willis of Tucson, daughter Tricia (Mike) Sauber of Tucson, grandchildren Zachary (Candace) Clark of Colorado, Michael (Brianna)Sauber of California, Anthony, Ashleigh, and Matheau Hodap of Tucson, Alison Willis of Mesa, and Annelise and Victoriana Sauber of Tucson. Great grandchildren Lyndsay and Bailey Clark of Colorado. Brothers Buck (Gladys) Willis of Sandsprings, Ok, Erven (Lydia) Willis of Pryor, Ok, Dude (Shirley) Willis of Beaumont, Tx, and sister Frances (Buck) Cramer of Sandsprings, Ok.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to: UMC Foundation, In memory of Floyd J. Willis, The cancer patients' assistance fund; 655 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ., 85704