Submitted by: Todd Nowicki

Willis Perry Jr.: (South Bend Tribune 1/31/2003)

Jan. 14, 1924 - Jan. 29, 2003 Willis Perry Jr., 79, of Fir Road, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Hospice House, South Bend, Ind. Willis was born on Jan. 14, 1924, in Piqua, Ohio. Willis was preceded in death by his father, William Perry; a sister, Virginia Rupert; and by a son-in-law, Phillip Row. On Aug. 22, 1952, in South Bend, he married the former Frances Puzynski, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Lisa Marie Roe of Mishawaka; two sons, Bill Ballard of Plant City, Fla., and Fred (Beth) Puzynski of Reston, Va.; 10 grandchildren, Phillip, Eric, Tamara, Kim, Renee, Jonathan, Jimmy, Jennifer, David and Garland; and by his great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Stevie, Alicia, Jessica, Josh, Joey and Billy. Willis worked for Studebaker and also U.S. Steel, then he went to work for the South Bend Community School Corporation in the maintenance department for over 26 years before retiring. He was an avid fisherman, and he really enjoyed playing bingo. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 31, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Hahn Funeral Home, with Brother Steve Nani, CSC, officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind. The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Willis' name to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437.