William F. Wills Jr.

William F. Wills Jr. 

William F. Wills Jr. passed away peacefully on Nov. 3, 2016 with his family at his side.

Born May 14, 1931 in Powell, WY was the first son of Reverend William F. Wills, Sr. and Winifred Wills. His dad was a Presbyterian minister and the family of six moved around the Midwest before finishing high school in Minneapolis, MN. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he served in the Marines in the Seventh Division. He was awarded a Purple Heart and the Korean War Medal for his service. Upon return from the service, he attended the University of Minnesota and worked as a draftsman for Northern State Power. He then met his soon to be wife of 62 years, Donna Marie Carlstrom, whom he married Oct. 2, 1954 in Fosston, MN. Utilizing the GI bill, they moved to Mankato, MN were he attended Mankato State and received a degree in Industrial Arts. After a brief stint teaching wood shop in St. James, MN and having his first 2 children, David and Thomas, he got tried of shoveling snow and accepted a job teaching at Isbell School in Santa Paula in 1960. After arriving in CA, Bill (aka Willie) and Donna had daughter Rebecca and son Michael. During his 30 years of teaching, he taught math, wood shop, typing, history, careers and served as Vice Principal. Many former students fondly remember their first experience learning how to work with wood and still treasure their creations to this day. 

After retiring in 1988, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Donna, children, David (Laura), Thomas, Rebecca, Michael 

(Eileen), and five grand children Katherine and William Dorosk, Andrew, Matthew, and Nicholas Wills. He is survived by his brothers, Robert of Santa Rosa, David of Chicago, and Margaret of Colorado Springs.