LEE: Riley C. Willis, 92, of Farmington, CT formerly of Lee, died Sunday July 12th at his home in Farmington. He was born in Brewton, Alabama, August 20, 1922 the son of Louis and Sarah Ward Willis. Mr. Willis moved to Robertsdale, Alabama as a child and was a 1940 graduate of Robertsdale High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940 and was assigned to the U.S.S. Kearney which was torpedoed in October of 1941off the coast of Iceland, prior to the start of WW II. His ship received the Presidential Commendation. He served in both WWII and Korea in the Navy until 1952 when he joined the Navy Reserve, retiring in 1982 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (W-4). He worked at the Peter J. Schweitzer Paper Co. in Lee from 1952, retiring in 1988 as Preventive Maintenance Supervisor at its' then Kimberly Clark Corporation. He was a former communicant of St. Mary's Church, Lee V.F.W., Berkshire Hills Council No. 314 Knights of Columbus, Berkshire County Sheriff's Association, and former member of the Southern Berkshire Literacy at the Lee Library. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association (Military). In the 80s he took a Real Estate Course at B.C.C. and worked for a short period of time for Iron Horse Reality in Lee. He also took advance Math Courses at the University of Massachusetts. His wife the former Olga J. Gaspardi, the love of his life, whom he married December 16, 1944, died August 19, 2000. Riley leaves his daughter Sharon A. Sinacori and her husband Michael of Canton, CT; his companion Kathleen Opperman of Florida; two grandchildren Michael Sinacori and his wife Suzanne and Marnie Paulus and her husband Dan; six great grandchildren Nick, Sean and Samantha Sinacori, Jack, Brandy and Griffin Paulus; sisters in law Norma Pothul and her husband Frank and Agnes Gaspardi as well as several nieces and nephews The Funeral for Riley Willis will be held on Friday morning July 17th at 10:15 from the Kelly Funeral Home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Mary's Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Thursday from 4-7. In lieu of flowers those wishing may make donations to St. Mary's School in care of the Kelly Funeral Home at 3 Main St. Lee, MA 01238 I

Visitation Details

Thursday, July 16th, 2015 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Service Details

Friday, July 17th, 2015 11:00am, St. Mary's Church

Interment Details

St. Mary's Cemetery