Alan Burgess Willis, 84, of Westby, Wis., passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024. Alan was born Sept. 13, 1939, to Alfred “Fred” and Florence (Lamb) Willis in Whitestown, Vernon County, Wis.
Between 1944 and 1945, they moved to the Milwaukee area. Al went to grade school until 1953 in Milwaukee. For high school, Alan graduated from Shorewood High School in Shorewood, Wis., in June 1957.
At the age of 17 (one month shy of 18), Alan joined the Air Force on Aug. 1, 1957. His passion was to defend the country he loved. Alan traveled the country and across the seas. In May 1980, he even witnessed the aftermath of Mt. St. Helen’s eruption.
In December 1960, Alan was honorably discharged from active duty. A few years later, he couldn’t stay away, so he joined the reserves to continue working for his country.
On Dec. 10, 1962, Alan married Caroline “Kari” Calhoon in Caledonia, Minn. They lived in the Ontario, Wis., area. Their first son, Timothy, “Tim,” was born in 1963, and their second son, Ronald, “Ron,” was born in 1964.
In 1964, Alan moved the family to Janesville, Wis., where he worked at the Chevrolet plant on the assembly line. In 1966, their first daughter was born, Tami.
Alan decided to move the growing family back to Ontario, Wis., in 1969, and worked out of La Crosse, Wis., as a water-softener installer. Then he decided to follow his father’s footsteps, and he purchased The Riverview Tavern next to the Kickapoo River in Ontario. In 1970, he had the tavern moved away from the river to across the baseball square and renamed it to Diamond View. In 1972, they had their second daughter, Nicole “Nikki.”
In 1980, Alan and Kari separated and sold the tavern. He moved back to Milwaukee to work at the Air Force base full time. They divorced in May 1982.
Alan remarried in 1983 to MaryAnn. They lived in Cudahy, Wis. with Mary’s two daughters. Then they moved to St. Francis, Wis.
Alan retired in 1999. He enjoyed many things throughout his life: deer hunting, fishing, square dancing, playing cards, camping, playing his guitar, and singing.
Alan joined the AMVETS on Jan. 30, 2002. He kept active supporting his fellow veterans. From 2007 to 2009, he was his district’s commander. From 2009 to 2010, he was the Department of Wisconsin 2nd Vice Commander; and from 2010 to 2011, the 1st Vice Commander. In 2011, Alan became the AMVETS Department of Wisconsin State Commander. He served a year, traveling around Wisconsin and to Washington D.C. In 2019, his AMVETS post in Milwaukee elected him post commander until 2021.
Alan lost his wife in 2021. He decided to move to Westby, Wis., to be closer to his children.
During the evening hours of March 14, 2024, Alan lost his battle with cancer. Alan peacefully passed away in his home with his son, Ron, by his side. Al’s family is very grateful for the hospice team by his side, with special thanks to his nurse, Jason, for walking this journey with him.
Alan is survived by his children, Timothy Willis of Sparta, Ronald (Tammy) Willis of Cashton, and Nicole (Wayne) Slaney of Chetek, Wis.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his cousins, friends, his AMVETS family, and Maryann’s children, Joanne(Owen) Dekeyser and Julie (Jim) Fountaine and families.
Alan was preceded in death by his wife, Maryann; his daughter, Tami; his parents, Fred and Florence (Lamb) Willis; his half-brother, Ronald; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Alan’s celebration of life is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 720 Wisconsin St., Cashton. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 12–2 p.m. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Old Ontario Cemetery in Ontario, Wis. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
