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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17, 1994 Happy 90th Birthday Garn Willis By Barbara Pyles Today, August 7, (Jam Willis celebrates his !M)th birthday. the tenth and next to the last child of William Paterson Willis and Mary Kliza Merrill Willis. His mother was his 1 1 s fathers second wife. His fathers first wife had ten children. There was never any ill feelings or jealousy between the two families. Both families treated each other with love and respect, he says. In my heart both families were the same. We thought a lot of each other. I had wonderful brothers, sisters and parents. Both families lived in Henrieville, Utah. His father owned three farms and cattle and horses. was raised you like a rancher, might say just Willis. says In those days, there was no such thing as an allowance or a backyard snooze in the warm sun. We learned to work. We had to 1 On her time off, she also went to the dances. As soon as Ella stepped on the dance floor, Willis couldn't wait to dance. For him it was love at first sight. One night, he told Marv Adams, Im going to marry that girl. Two ears later on May 27, 1929, he kept his word. In those days young couples didnt go on a honeymoon. The roads were had, cars were scarce, and wages were low. We were only making a dollar a day, he says. Times w'ere difficult. Ella worked as a nurses aide at the hospital, and he worked at any job that was available. Remembering hack, Willis says he had two brothers that worked for the Biological Survey. (The Biological Survey con-trolle- d predatory animals). When he was ten, his brother, Sears, would take him out on weekends to help catch moun- tain lions. When his older brother John retired, he gave work. We enjoyed working, says Willis his dogs. And, Willis was Will is. The work was farming hired by the Biological Survey. and livestock raising. That was I was protecting the sheep and all there was in those days. the cattlemen. When I first came His father homesteaded 360 to Kan ah, there were 25 herds of acres where Rubys Inn is lo- sheep in Kane County and two cated. Willis spent summers herds of goats. If there was any there, working as a rancher, with trouble, my job was to kill these his brothers. predatory animals. I have a After high school, he worked record of 1 ,700 coyotes, he said. in the Utah Apex mine in According to Willis, he hunted lingham. One day a mine ca d in Kane County, Garfield County in on him. After I got out of the and part of Iron County. When the Biological Survey hospital, I didnt even look back. I His he was discontinued, they sent him says. just kept going, a to a private school in St. George. forest ranger on the uncle, Kaibab, helped Willis get a job An instructor from the Boeing as a fire guard. Plant in Seattle, Washington While he worked on the instructed Willis and other men Kaibab, summer dances were in sheet metal, blueprint readthe highlight of his evenings. ing and aircraft building. After he completed his studYes, the music was different, but the purpose was the same. ies, Willis accepted a job at Lockheed Aircraft as a group Boy meets girl. Ella Swapp worked as a supervisor. By now, the couple Lodge. had three little boys. The family Seventh Season of . . Wednesday Night at the Gazebo . moved toSouth Hollywood, California and he worked for Lockeed on the l 7 E, F, and G. He also worked for Douglas Aircraft on the They were having trouble with their emergency exit door. Whenever they would open it, it would fly off, says Willis. could see the trouble. They were putting the door on with strap hinges. So I put a piano hinge on it, and it worked. Afte r Wor d War , Wi i s wa s offered a job working for the Utah State Roads Department. He moved his family back to Kanab and ended up working for the department 25 years. After I came back from California, I still had my traps. I hunted on weekends and vacations for myself. The coyote furs got to be worth a hit of money. Bobcat furs were up to $400 do- Gam and Ella Willis have been married 65 years. Garn celebrates his 90th birthday today. Photo by Barbara Pyles. llars each, says Willis. Will is has held many jobs in his 90 years. I think that hard work and having to work is the best thing in a persons life. It made a man out of me. I dont ten seen at the city pool. Grandpa By Barbara Pyles ever remember missing a The hot days of summer are said they enjoyed havingthe hovs. in my whole life. Lyle and Bev Van Dome had a coming to an end (I hope"), and the Willis has miles of wonderful first day of Autumn isjust around visit from Bevs brother and his memories and can hold a friendly the comer. All around town, hosts wife David and Edith Flaming of conversation with just about and hostesses were heard saying Tigard, CA. The foursome visited anyone. One can almost visual- to their visitors, Thishot weather the North Rim and Bryce, and ize the places and the stories. is very unusual for this time of just enjoyed each others company. For instance: he can remember year. Were breaking records all Katie Cioffi of Carson City, snows that nobody w'ould be- over Utah. The guests wipe the NV visited hergrandparents Ron lieve, he cant remember a hot- sweat from their foreheads and and Bonnie Berry in Duck Creek ter summer .... And over the reply, Yeah, right. recently. Katie luul a great time years, he has frozen happy moThe children, grandchildren, at the Duck Creek Chili Cookoff. ments in priceless pictures.. .to and friends of Marv and Thelma Welcome home Sharon. Renata. he enjoyed again and again. Adams assembled at the Adams Chailes and Tyrel Woods. The The couple has four sons, home in Kanab recently to help family just returned from a trip to Duane, Jim, Nolan and Nyle. the couple celebrate their birth- Dickinson. N. Dakota. Renata and They have 1 9 grandchildren and days. Out of town guests were Charles were involved in an around 40 great grandchildren. son, Dr. Jack Adams and his wife Ukrainian workshop. The devoted family has planned Marilyn and their two daughters Happy 50th Wedding Annivera big celebration to honor their Heather of Chat s wor th, C A, and sary to Walter and Jean Ker r of father on August 20. The family Kristin and her husband Shawn Kanab. Their anniversary was is celebrating at the new Kanab ofSalt Lake City. Grandson, Marv and August 5, they were honored Community Center (just south Duane and his girlfriend also at- by their children and grandchilof the city park). tended. Other family members dren at a party in Ojai, California. who helped the couple celebrate Happy Birthday Garn Willis. were daughter Marva Dawn This nice gentlemen will celebrate For a positive change Adams and her husband Bert his 90th birthday on August 17. B-- B-2- 1 1 1 1 1 1 All Around Town pay-chec- k in law enforcement Vote November 8 Lamont Smith Kane County Sheriff 17 Wednesday, August Featuring 7:30 p.m. Mcrrilvn Cornell's Canyon Country Cloggers niece And congratulation to Dr. Godfreys of NeFern Wyatt Henderson, Obasi, and his wife Nneka of vada. In addition to enjoying the Fredonia.The couple have a new birthday celebration, the group baby girl, born on July 28. They spent some time at Lake Powell. named her Chihuzo. Bill qnd Leta Wallace of Kanab Have a gr eat week and enjoy entertained their grandsons what is left of the summer. Call 8 Tyler and Dylan Payne of Denwith your news or just ver, CO for the summer. Grand- drop it off at the Sun and tell mother and grandsons were of Ruthie its for Barbara. Thanks. 1 644-564- For the Qualified Choice Wirate-nir- a Thank you for your support Lamont Kane County Sheriff Smith-Candida- te Pa,d (or by the Citizens to Elect la-no- Smith Geoirgna Baca Kane County ClerkAuditor on November 8, 1994 |