Alfred C. Willis

Fred was born November 21, 1955 in Augusta, Georgia to Ladell and Emily Willis. He graduated from Glenn Hills High School in 1973 and immediately joined the US Air Force.

In 1975 he was transferred to Ramstein, Germany and in 1977 to Volkel AFB in The Netherlands. In 1979, on a ski trip in Austria, he met his future wife, Annette, also from The Netherlands. They were married in The Hague in April 1981 but three weeks later Fred was diagnosed with testicular cancer and transferred to WHMC in San Antonio and eventually temporarily retired from active duty. In 1983 he was diagnosed with a different kind of cancer and ultimately permanently retired from the Air Force in 1986.

Fred was an avid golfer and spent his initial retirement years playing lots of golf and going to school. He graduated with a BBA and MBA from OLLU in 1987 and 1989, respectively and started his career in Civil Service at Kelly AFB contracting in 1989. When Kelly closed he was able to secure a position with DCMA in the Boeing facility at the former Kelly AFB, where he worked until his retirement in August of 2012. Fred was diagnosed with a third cancer early 2011, but continued fighting and doing all the things he loved to do. His favorite hobby was to play golf, but he also loved to work in his yard, tend to all his beautiful flowers and plants, play with his beloved dogs, watch sports on TV or live, especially the San Antonio Spurs, read, travel, grill and, in the last few years, play the guitar. He was a people person, a leader, and was loved and respected by everyone whose lives he touched and he will be sorely missed by all.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Rachel Bell. Fred is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Annette Willis; sister, Julie Britton and husband, Jim; brother, Pete Willis and wife, Sheree; sister, Tina May and husband, Kevin; brother-in-law Daan Rhijnsburger and wife, Ankie and numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

WITH MILITARY HONORS

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 6, 2013

11:00 A.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 HARRY WURZBACH

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 6, 2013

1:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

Rev. Philip Tyre will officiate.

A reception will follow at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8115 Datapoint Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78229; www.cancer.org