Willis Vance, 87,

passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, with his family at his side. He was born March 15, 1920, in Dagmar, to Julius 'Jack' and Tillie (Henke) Vance.

In 1936, when Willis was 16, he moved with his family to Bigfork where he lived until he went into the service. He proudly served in the Army during World War II, from 1942 to 1945. He held the rank of sergeant. He served in the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theaters in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany.

He married Louise Hopkins of Bigfork in 1947. They settled in Kalispell where they built their home and began their family.

He retired in 1982 after 33 years with the County Road Department where he worked as a heavy-equipment operator.

Willis was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; parents, Jack and Tillie Vance; sisters, Grace Vance and Vera Vanderveer; and brothers, Allen Vance and Delbert Vance.

He is survived by his sons, Darrell and wife Christine of Kalispell, and Dennis and wife Olivia of Pearland, Texas; grandson, James and wife Holly Vance; two great-grandsons, Kerry and Cameron, of Oregon; brother, Kenny Vance of Condon; sisters, Lois Nyby of Illinois, and Mae Christian of Somers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Feb. 28. Ron Pearce will officiate the graveside service at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

We welcome family and friends to join us for a potluck celebration of Willis' life at the Birch Grove Community Center at 594 Birch Grove Dr., immediately following the memorial service.