Red Willis

Price- Our master manipulator of molten Ronald “Red” Lee Willis finished his journey here on earth September 11, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Red AKA Strawberry, Big Red and Papa Red was born June 5, 1952 in Sidney, Nebraska to Emalee and Leland Willis. He Graduated Kemmer High School in 1970.
Red met and married the love of his life, Paula in 1972 and together they had three children, Lee, Mandie and Jennifer. He loved our mom with all his heart and often said “He would be nothing, if it wasn’t for her”. He loved and fiercely defended his family and would brag about his kids and grandbabies to anyone who would listen, literally anyone. Red was a member of the Price JC’s, the Eastern Utah Coordinator for MDS, and one of the original founders of the Helper Outlaw Car Show and a proud union brother to Local 57/140 pipefitters and plumbers for 44 years. He traveled all across the Western states working side by side with his union brothers as a welder/pipefitter. “Union until I die”, proudly displayed on his beloved red Dodge trucks. He was a diehard Jazz fan, we are certain the neighbors always knew when they were losing. He was quite the bowler and pool player back in his younger days and was on a bowling league for many years. He loved mopar vehicles, pawn shops, ketchup, car shows, craftsman tools, big dog shirts and rock n roll music. Dad pushed the limits at all times and never backed down to anyone or anything. He was fearless, there wasn’t a hill he wouldn’t climb with one of his many toys, a hitchhiker he wouldn’t pick up and if a car pulled up next to him at a light, it didn’t matter if he was in his little red express truck or his old beat up Oldsmobile (the blue’s cruiser) he was going to beat them off the line. God save you if you drove past his house going over the speed limit. Ol’ Red had a temper and had no problem telling people exactly what he thought, but he was our gentle giant who would do anything for anyone without asking for anything in return.
Survived by his sweetheart of 45 years, Paula; son, Lee (Lisa) Willis; daughter, Jennifer (Lance) Greener; father, Leland Willis; sister, Susie Sheets; brothers, Donnie Willis and Art Willis; grandchildren, Justice Anderson, Cody, Wyatt and Harlee Willis, Makayla, Colton and Dade Greener, Brodey Crisp; great grandbaby, Brooks Greener; best friend, co-pilot and union brother for over 30 years, Mike James; his fur baby, Memphis.
Preceded in death by his mother, Emalee Willis; sister, Beverly Piper; father in law, Roy McGehee; daughter, Mandie Willis; granddaughter, Gentrie Greener.
The family would like to thank the nurses in ICU, Dr. Thayn at Castleview Hospital, Dr. Al and the nurses at Utah Valley Specialty Hospital and all the staff at Pinnacle Nursing and Rehab for working so hard to save our Papa Red, the staff at Symbii for all of your kindness, we appreciate each and every one of you. If his body was as strong as his spirit he would have lived forever.
Memorial service, Friday, September 15, 2017, 11:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery. The family suggest casual dress for the Memorial service. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Red at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.