Obituary of Charles Walter Willis

Charlie was born on October 16th, 1926 in Maryfield, Saskatchewan. He was the third child of Bill and Alice Willis who left Maryfield, Saskatchewan when Charlie was two years old. With Charlie and their two other children, Grace and Bob, the family settled in Dawson Creek where they farmed for 2 years before settling for good, on the homestead in Sunset Prairie. The farm in Sunset Prairie has been in the family ever since. Charlie never married or left the old homestead, except when he went to work for Boyle Bros. Oil Co. in Wabaska, AB and Bassett's Sawmill in the early years. Most of his life was spent helping his father farm the homestead and caring for his aging parents. Charlie was the last of his generation in Sunset Prairie to have lived almost 80 years on the same homestead and to have died there as well. In the past 6 months there were many conversations with family about his illness and about feeling the needdefinitely not the desire to move off the farm for the winter. Fortunately, he did not have to do that. Family was everything to Charlie. Since he never married he spent a good part of his life spoiling his niece and nephew, Fay and Reg. Since they lived close by it was easy to shower them with attention and treats. When his parents became elderly he cared for them until his father, Bill passed away at the age of 86. He continued caring for his mother Alice until she was gone at the age of 95 years. During his 83 years Charlie made many friends in this community as well as surrounding communities, both old and young. Once Bob and Beth's family moved to Chetwynd the Bentley boys, Bill and Doug became his second family. The three of them spent a lot of time together over the years sharing work and discussing the price of beef, the weather, or when they should start cutting hay. Charlie was of the era where a hand shake solidified an agreement. He had no use for credit or debit cards; he believed in cash only. He owed no one and paid cash for everything. Charlie passed away on the family homestead in Sunset Prairie on August 10th, 2010 at the age of 83 years. A memorial tea was held on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 1:30 pm at the McLeod School, interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Charlie to the Canadian Cancer Society.