Willis Frederick Galer

Willis Frederick Galer, age 87, of Pickford, Michigan, died Sunday, November 15, 2015, at home surrounded by family. He was born January 1, 1928 to Conrad Galer and Izetta Elizabeth (Wise) Galer in Pickford. Willis attended primary school in Pickford, St. Ignace, Newberry, and Saginaw, Michigan, moving around while his father was working on construction of bridges for the highway department. He graduated from Pickford High School where he met Olive Elizabeth Roe. They were married on December 2, 1946. They moved to Grand Rapids for a short while before moving back to Pickford to start their family. Willis worked for Leonard Rye at the Hessel Grocery and then at the A & P in Sault Ste. Marie before he purchased the Pickford Grocery in 1954. He operated the grocery until 1965 when he sold his business to attend Lake Superior State College and earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He then attended Michigan State University and earned his MBA. Willis returned to LSSC in 1970 where he was a member of the Business School Faculty and taught business classes including marketing, sales, business administration, accounting, and advertising. For several years, Willis also taught at Algoma University and Cambrian University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, as an adjunct professor. He retired in 1990 after 20 years of teaching. Olive passed away in 1993. In 1995, he married Mary Bawks Howell in Maui, Hawaii. They enjoyed their time together traveling and making everyday living fun. They just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on September 20 with an open house where they enjoyed greeting many of their friends. Willis has been a member of the Pickford Lions Club since 1955 where he served in many offices including President and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow for dedicated humanitarian services by Lions Clubs International. He was also a member of the Pickford United Methodist Church, Midwest Business Administrators Association, Midwest Marketing Association, and the Pickford Grange. He served on the Pickford Public Schools Board of Education for many years. Crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, boating, grilling, reading, traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, old time country music, Australian folk music, playing guitar, and spending time with his family were just a few of Willis’ favorite things to do. When asked how he was doing, his usual response was a big smile and the words “just right”. Willis is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Linda (David) Thompson of Pickford; son, Rodney Willis (Patsy) Galer of Pickford; grandchildren, Candace (Larry) Warner, Cheri (Scott) Skinner, Trisha (Zachary) Thompson-Jennings, Micah Willis (Lisa) Galer, Nathan (Tiffany) Galer, and Emily Galer; great grandchildren, Cassaundra Warner (Chris) Cohrs, Jillian and Jacob Warner, Adam, Christopher, Benjamin, and Kyra Skinner, Griffin and Samuel Jennings, Harper Willis, Astrid, Livi, and Vander Conrad Galer; great great grandson, Kaden Warner-Cryderman; and his brother, Merlin Conrad (Lorraine) Galer. He is also survived by Mary’s family, her nephew she raised, Chuck (Jenni) Bawks of Texas; niece, Aleta (Dan) Phillips of Texas; great nephews, Russell (Kristen) Bawks, and Stephen, Michael, and Timothy Phillips; and great great nephews and niece, Talyn Drew, Matthew Alan, and Amelia Grace. Willis was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Olive; sister, Connie E. Galer VanLuven; great grandson Holden Micah Galer; and Mary’s brother, Alvin Bawks and great nephew, Matthew Bawks. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 19 from 3 P.M. until 7 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford and Friday, November 20 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Pickford United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 20 at 11 A.M. at the Pickford United Methodist Church with Reverend Timothy Bashore conducting the service. Burial will be in Cottle Cemetery in Marquette Township, Pickford. Memorial contributions may be made to Pickford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 128, Pickford, MI 49774 or Northwoods Christian Camp on the Rapson, P.O. Box 574, Pickford, MI 49774.

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Willis Frederick Galer

January 1, 1928 - November 15, 2015