Willis Harmon

WILLIS F. HARMONAge 73 of Lily Lake, passed away unexpectedly at Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Sunday, July 3, 2005 following a sudden illness.BORN/ EARLY YEARS :He was born June 11, 1932, in Athens, TN the son of Roy Franklin and Liza Lena (Benton) HarmonWillis grew up near Athens-Decatur, TN where his family farmed. As a young man he began working in the saw mills and later, he and his brother delivered fresh produce throughout the area. That was the beginning of Willis trucking career, but only part of the story. Willis grew up in a family that loved to sing gospel songs in four part harmony. They were featured on local radio programs throughout the area but Willis booming voice didn’t need a radio to be heard. No matter what he was doing or where he was working, he was always making music and praising the Lord in song.MARRIAGE On December 4, 1955 he was united in marriage to Ella Sue Womac in Athens, TN. Although they had known each other since childhood and attended the Clear Springs Baptist Church together, Willis had to work hard to win Ella’s heart. They made their home in Tennessee until the mid sixties when they moved to Illinois. They settled in the Lily Lake-Maple Park area where Willis worked for the Elburn Packing Company. Soon he was driving for Speedway Disposal and later retired as a driver for Waste Management.OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY Willis and Ella were blessed with five children whom they loved deeply. Willis managed his family with a strong hand and a marshmallow heart. He demanded respect and gave back total devotion to his wife and children. In later years, his grandchildren saw that same devotion but the strong hand of discipline had been won over by the "marshmallow heart". MEMBERSHIPS Willis was a member of the Idlewild Baptist Church for many years and was ordained as a deacon. In later years he was a member of the Wasco Baptist Church, Wasco, IL where he served the church as a trustee. Willis loved the church and spent many hours fixing and caring for the building, singing hymns and praising God as he labored. Willis life was a love story, love for his family and love for his Lord. SURVIVORS In addition to his wife of fifty years, Ella, he is survived byFive Children Linda (Scott) Stouffer of Maple Park and their family:David, Katherine and Jessica (don’t print ages: 19, 17, 12)Donald (Pamela) Harmon of St. Charles, IL and their family:Derek, Robert, Joshua (don’t print ages: 20, 19, 10)Pamela (Kevin) Bohlin of Elgin and their family:Amanda, Ashley and Michael (don’t print ages 21, 18, 15) Gordon (Betsy) Harmon of Lockport, IL and their family:Jared and Brittany (don’t print ages 11,9)Roy (Megan) Harmon of Cortland, ILSiblings:Wilma Rudd George (Betty) HarmonElizabeth (Darrell) Davis all of Decatur, TNMarie (Donald) Newberry of Etowah, TNHelen (Raymond) Moon Eula (Roy) Williams Alice (Doug) Coleman also of Decatur, TNOne sister-in-law, Jean Harmon of Athens, TNPRECEDED He is preceded in death by: His parents andOne brother, Fred HarmonOne brother-in-law, Homer Rudd.MEMORIAL A memorial to benefit the Wasco Baptist Churchhas been established in his name. Checks may be made to the Willis Harmon Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Personal tributes and memories may also to the same address or forwarded to the family through www.conleycare.com

FuneraVISITATION Visitation will be held at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, from 4-9pm Wednesday, July 6.l services will be held Thursday morning at 10am at the Wasco Baptist Church, Old LaFox Rd. The Rev. Bruce Miller and Rev. Randy Harmon will officiate.

Interment will follow at Lily Lake Cemetery, Rt. 47, Lily Lake, IL