Winona "Nona" Willis
March 28, 1926 — December 15, 2019
Winona June “Nona” (Caskey) Willis was born March 28, 1926 in Broadlawn, South Dakota the daughter of John Clark Caskey and Margaret (Poulisse) Caskey.
Her family lived in Huron, South Dakota before moving to Indianola, Iowa where Nona started school. She graduated from Indianola High School and then attended A.I.B. in Des Moines. Nona then moved to Dayton, Ohio to work at what is now known as the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, during World War II. On September 21, 1946 she was united in marriage to Donald James Willis in Indianola, Iowa. The couple made their home in Hartford before moving to Knoxville in 1952. The couple was blessed with three children. Nona babysat in her home for years, helping to raise many of Knoxville’s kids.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, she was a Sunday School teacher and she and Don cleaned the church for many years. In her spare time, Nona enjoyed reading, sewing and cross stich. She loved to play games, whether it was the long game with her grandkids or playing cards with her siblings during their monthly get-togethers. She and Don also attended 25 reunions of his 3rd Armored Division through the years. Her greatest joy was family, especially cooking for family dinners and attending all the grandkids activities.
Nona passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics at the age of 93 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Don; granddaughter, Heidi Elizabeth Aleff and her siblings: Clifford, Lawrence, Iris, Joan and Merry.
Those left to cherish Nona’s memory include her children: Bob and (Lou Ann) Willis, Sandy Richardson, and Linda Aleff, all of Knoxville. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Mike and (Lisa) Willis, Tim and (Christa) Willis, Lin and (Brent) Thoms, Maggie and (Jeff) Wilson, Abbie Aleff, Walter Richardson, Jordan (Chris) Moody, and Phillip Richardson. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service for Winona “Nona” Willis, age 93 of Knoxville, will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Pleasantville Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church
Her family lived in Huron, South Dakota before moving to Indianola, Iowa where Nona started school. She graduated from Indianola High School and then attended A.I.B. in Des Moines. Nona then moved to Dayton, Ohio to work at what is now known as the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, during World War II. On September 21, 1946 she was united in marriage to Donald James Willis in Indianola, Iowa. The couple made their home in Hartford before moving to Knoxville in 1952. The couple was blessed with three children. Nona babysat in her home for years, helping to raise many of Knoxville’s kids.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, she was a Sunday School teacher and she and Don cleaned the church for many years. In her spare time, Nona enjoyed reading, sewing and cross stich. She loved to play games, whether it was the long game with her grandkids or playing cards with her siblings during their monthly get-togethers. She and Don also attended 25 reunions of his 3rd Armored Division through the years. Her greatest joy was family, especially cooking for family dinners and attending all the grandkids activities.
Nona passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Knoxville Hospital & Clinics at the age of 93 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Don; granddaughter, Heidi Elizabeth Aleff and her siblings: Clifford, Lawrence, Iris, Joan and Merry.
Those left to cherish Nona’s memory include her children: Bob and (Lou Ann) Willis, Sandy Richardson, and Linda Aleff, all of Knoxville. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Mike and (Lisa) Willis, Tim and (Christa) Willis, Lin and (Brent) Thoms, Maggie and (Jeff) Wilson, Abbie Aleff, Walter Richardson, Jordan (Chris) Moody, and Phillip Richardson. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service for Winona “Nona” Willis, age 93 of Knoxville, will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Pleasantville Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church
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