Willis Ray Cook

Willis Ray Cook was born October 8, 1931, in Webster City, Iowa. His father Roscoe headed out two weeks later to homestead some land in Douglas County, Wisconsin, near Superior. Roscoe took his household goods and family, which consisted of wife, Laura, sons, Lloyd and Richard, daughters, Esther and Irene along with new baby, Willis. First grade for Willis was attended at Patzau School. One of Willis's early memories is when a member of a visiting musical group went into a burning house nearby to see if anyone needed rescuing. Other early grades were completed at Chafee Engine Hill, and Bengston schools. He also attended two years at Billings School in South Superior, Wisconsin. Willis left school in the 11th grade after a family move.

In June of 1949, he enlisted for a three year term in the US Army. Basic training was at Camp Funston, near Fort Riley, Kansas. After basic, he was sent to Yokohama, Japan, to the 8th Army Headquarters. Shortly after the Korean War started in June of 1950, he was sent to Pusan, Korea, where he became part of the 5th Regiment combat team, the 555th Field Artillery Unit. They advanced to the Manchurian border until they were forced to retreat because of the massive Chinese invasion. About that time Willis became very ill, was placed in the field hospital, flown to the Pusan Swedish Red Cross hospital, then back to Japan, to make room for more battle casualties. Upon recovery, Willis was released from combat status and joined the Military Police with responsibilities for the Port of Yokohama, land and water. Upon completion of that assignment he was rotated back to the United States, Camp Irwin, California. A few months there completed his extended enlistment. Willis was honorably discharged and returned to Wisconsin in August 1952.

About that time, Willis recalled hearing the evangelist/pastor at his mother Laura's funeral say "It behooves each one of us to be sure of our eternal destiny".

Willis stated "I made my way to the church of the Nazarene in Milwaukee where Jesus saved me, and later sanctified me wholly. Willis said "It was also where I met the sweet dark-haired beauty, Iris Murray, who later became my wife at Antigo, Wisconsin, where her dad Charles Murray was a pastor". Over the years six children were added to the family, Donald, Wayne, Bruce, Amber, Norman, and Charlyn.

The family's early years were spent in rural Wisconsin, with Willis working at the American Motors Corporation. He worked on the Rambler automobile if you remember those cars.

In the early 1960's, Willis felt the call of God in his life to become a pastor. At God's direction, in 1967, he enrolled in Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, and the family made a life-changing move. During college, Willis also did Fuller Brush sales work and Iris worked nights at Dunkin' Donuts to support the family. Norman was born during these years. Willis tried the night classes, but went back to day classes because the experience was much richer in his opinion. Willis graduated with excellent grades in the pioneer class in 1970. After graduation, Willis pastored simultaneously Havre and Chinook Montana. Chary was born while in Havre. Some years later he served as associate pastor in Helena, Montana. His next pastorate was in Powell, Wyoming. This was followed by the church in Glasgow, Montana, and interim time in Twin Bridges, Montana, and then back to Glasgow, where he eventually retired in July 2001. Willis and Iris were bi-vocational most of the time when they pastored. Iris worked for the State of Montana as a nurse's aide and Willis was a sales rep for Electrolux. They enjoyed their retirement and many friends in Glasgow, despite receiving 105 inches of snow one winter.

In June of 2015, they made the quick decision to relocate from Glasgow, Montana, to Roseburg, Oregon, due to Willis's health. Amber packed them up in three days and put them on the train for Oregon. Roseburg allowed them quick access to the wonderful resources at the VA Campus. The added benefit of having family closer allowed them 18 months of special times with kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Willis was recently preceded in death by his wife, Iris, on November 14, 2016. He was also preceded by his parents, Roscoe and Laura; brothers, Richard and George; sisters, Ethel, Ruth Ann, and Esther.

Willis is survived by his six children, Don (Pam) Cook of Sutherlin, OR, Wayne (Liz) of Sebastopol, Ca, Bruce (Nila) of McMinnville, OR, Amber Flores of Sheridan, WY, Norman of Healdsburg, CA, Charlyn (Steve) Reece of Nampa, ID; grandchildren, Roscoe (Colleen), Willis (Kristi Lynn), Christie (Weston), Grant, Lisa Amber (Jacob), Jilianne, Laurel, Corrine, Roger, Jacob, Natalie, Elisa, Seth; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle, Annabelle, Nathaniel, Samuel, Aria, Bowen, Holly, Gray. He is survived by brothers, Lloyd of Redmond, OR, Stanley, of Anchorage, AK; sisters, Irene Folks, Wausaukee, WI, Annabelle Petrusson of Deerwood, MN, Julie McFadden, Rockford, IL, and Patricia Betts, Summerfield FL.

Funeral Service will be Friday, February 3, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Wilson's Chapel of the Roses with interment at Roseburg National Cemetery. Please visit Willis' at site at www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com to leave condolences and fond memories.