Willis A. Cheesie "Cheesie" Gissendaner

Willis A. "Cheesie" Gissendaner of Farmington, New Mexico passed away on Monday, August 25, 2014 at home. He was born January 22, 1929 in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Cheesie served his country in the U.S. Air Force and in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He was a veteran of the Korean War. After his service, he worked for the Arizona Highway Department then started his own Custom Hay Bailing business in Yuma, AZ for 35 years. He moved to Farmington, New Mexico in 1995.

Cheesie was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Jewel Grace Gissendaner. He is survived by his daughter, Debra O'Donnell (Royce); son, Ron Gissendaner; grandchildren, Matthew Barsema (Christine), Michael Barsema, and Melissa Brundage (Adam); 6 great grandchildren, Jacob, Rachel, Hannah, Sofia, Hudson, and Grace; sister-in-law, Wilma Sisson; sister, Lucille Bouse; brothers, Bud Gissendaner (Lois), Pete Gissendaner (Shirley), and Robert Gissendaner (Diane).

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at Johnson Mortuary with Steven Drollinger, nephew, officiating. Pallbearers will be Matthew Barsema, Michael Barsema, Adam Brundage, Royce O'Donnell, Mike Sims and Danny Long; Honorary Pallbearers, Steven Drollinger, Pete Gissendaner, Robert Gissendaner, Bud Gissendaner and Jimmy Roach.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Yuma at www.hospiceofyuma.com.