Mr. Imel Willis

Imel H. Willis, the kindest and best of men, passed away on September 2, 2013 at the age of 96. He was born in Pike County in the community later named Willisville for his parents, Floyd H. and Inez G. Willis, who owned and operated the Willis General Store there. Mr. Willis was most recently living at 350 Palomar St., Chula Vista, California, having resided in Southern California since 1966.

His wife of 73 years, Rachel Morris Willis, preceded him in death in 2010. Together, theirs was a life of service to the Lord and to others. They lived through the harsh times of the Great Depression and World War II. Drafted into the Army, Mr. Willis served our country in post-WWII military administrative assignments, while stationed in Korea.

Working as a team, Imel and Rachel not only strove to improve their own circumstances, but also that of those around them. Their greatest joy seemed to be in helping someone to better himself, most importantly in saving faith in Christ, but also in education, in a job, in a troubled relationship or out of a predicament. They were active in the Church of God. One of their greatest mutual enjoyments was playing stringed instruments. Imel helped to establish the San Diego Mandolin Orchestra.

Mr. Willis worked his own way through Indiana University to become a teacher of one room schools in Pike County, to being school principal and later the first superintendent of the Gibson County Unified School District. He served schools in Bloomington and Columbia City, Indiana, Germany, Baldwin Heights School in Princeton, and Coronado, CA.

Mr. Willis was the eldest of seven children, of whom MaryBelle Gray and Wesley Willis, of Willisville, preceded him in death. Surviving are his sister, Lelah Pancake of Marshal, IL, James Willis of Indpls., Morris Willis of Washington, IN, and Rev. O.W. Willis of Noblesville, IN.

Imel and Rachel Willis were the parents of five children, of whom Sandra (Bell) Davis and Janet Ray Breidenbaugh preceded them in death. He is survived by Anita Powell of Escondido, CA; Floyd I. Willis and wife, Angie, of Chula Vista, CA; Inez R. Lancaster and husband, Mark, of Bentonville, AR; son-in-law, Robert Breidenbaugh of Otwell, IN and Escondido, CA and his wife, Tommie.

Grandchildren: Dr. David Bell and wife, Lisa, IN; Greg Davis and wife, Vicki, AR; Dr. Mark Breidenbaugh and wife, Caralisa, OH; Hyla Breidenbaugh, Douglas Powell and wife, Lisa, Tyler Powell and wife, Rebecca, Raquel and William Willis, CA; Daniel, Aaron and Laura Lancaster, AR.

Great-grandchildren are Toft Breidenbaugh, Jeff Bell, Nathan Bell, Cole Davis, Rick and Scot Rogers, Sarah Nunley, Alexander, Carson, Nathan and Natalie Powell,

Mr. Willis wrote memoirs of his childhood in Pike County, Indiana, and his life and work elsewhere, entitled Plow A Straight Row.

Services are at Harris funeral home.

, and his life and work elsewhere, entitled Plow A Straight Row.