Clyde Arthur Wills, of Oshkosh, Wis., passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Evergreen in Oshkosh. He was 95.
Clyde is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Helen Wills; his children, Thomas Wills (Carol) of Tucson, Ariz., James Wills of Oshkosh, David Wills (Jane) of Williamsburg, Va., Walter Wills (Lois Volper) of Douglasville, Ga., and Kathleen Wills (Michael Nowlen) of Clearwater, Fla.; his brother, Richard Wills of Negaunee, Mich.; sister-in-law, Carolyn Wills of Rockford, Mich.; nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond Wills and Robert Wills; sisters-in-law, Leone Wills and Edith Wills; and great-granddaughter, Poppy Rose Wills.
Born Sept. 10, 1922 in Negaunee, Clyde was the son of the late Thomas and Florence Wills. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in the European Theatre during World War II. Clyde could still remember the roads from Normandy to Paris. Following his discharge, Clyde went to work for Jewel Tea Company in Iron River, Mich. In 1951, he was transferred to Oshkosh, where he continued to work as an auditor throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, later auditing regional warehouse locations throughout the country. Clyde retired from the Jewel Companies in 1989 after 44 years of service.
After retirement, Clyde and Helen toured the world with travels that included Mexico, England, France, Finland, Russia, and New Zealand. They also enjoyed domestic travels with Elderhostel. Clyde was an active member of the Oshkosh Senior Center Cribbage group. Gary, Clete, Dick, Kathy, Cliff, Speed, Jim and Harley were a constant source of enjoyment and encouragement. Clyde also volunteered as a docent at the EAA Aviation Museum from 1992 to 2013.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at First English Lutheran Church, 1013 Minnesota St., Oshkosh, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at the Negaunee City Cemetery in Negaunee at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clyde’s honor to the First English Lutheran Church Music Ministry Fund, 1013 Minnesota St., Oshkosh, WI 54902.
