Willis Engel

May 13, 1921 - April 25, 2016

Willis Engel went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 25, 2016 - he was 94 years of age. Willis was born in Avon, SD during the Great Depression. He attended elementary, middle school, and high school in Avon. He was very active in sports in high school - Captain of the baseball and basketball teams. The year after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Naval Air Force. He spent time on Naval Air Stations and carriers, two years in the South Pacific and the remaining year in the States. On July 5, 1946 he married Vilas Jurrens, R.N., who was from the same town, church, and school. He had two sons, Gordon and Gregory, and then was called back into the Naval Service for the Korean Conflict. After that he stayed in Long Beach, CA and worked for ARCO Oil Company for thirty years. He accepted Christ during that time at Farwest Baptist Church in Long Beach, CA. After retiring from ARCO, he moved to Hemet, CA. He then joined Hemet First Baptist in 1984. He was an Usher, Class Greeter, and Vice President of his Sunday School class while there. He leaves to mourn his wife, Vilas, his two sons, Gordon and Gregory, their two wives, four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. Willis Engel's name to Cornerstone Church, 26089 Girard Street, Hemet, CA 92544.