Obituary: Kemnitz, Willis E.
Age 76
KEMNITZ,
Willis E.
“Bill”
(Age 76)
A man of great strength, courage and faith, he was called to heaven on June 23, 2012, after a long battle with lung cancer.
His will to live despite his painful, daily struggle was incredible.
He was a Spokane Valley resident for 33 years.
Willis was born September 19, 1935 in Alpena, Michigan to Edna and Albert Kemnitz.
After graduating from Alpena High School he served in the U.S. Navy and attended San Jose City College in California.
He was a highly skilled Industrial Electrician in the food and window parts manufacturing industries.
He was responsible for maintenance, trouble-shooting, installing and designing automated machinery.
He was employed at SNE Industries for sixteen years as Plant Electrician.
His final endeavor was as owner of Marathon Enterprises, contracting employment with Hauser Lake Lumber.
He was known by us all as the one who could repair just about anything - that’s what made him tick!
He especially enjoyed camping, vegetable gardening, repairing televisions and appliances, and playing Rummy with his loved ones.
His greatest joy was spending time with his family, children and grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by us all.
His smiling face, jokes and positive attitude will always be an inspiration to us.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carole; daughters Christine (Todd) Coy, Trisha (Todd) Duty, Heidi (Mike) Arnold; and sons Kevin Carr, Jared (Martha) Kemnitz and Jason Kemnitz.
His surviving grandchildren are Holly, Trevor, Allyson and Melanie Coy; Micaela and Zachary Arnold, and Trent Kemnitz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Glenn, sisters Elaine Kemnitz and Joyce Wehofer.
He is survived by his brother Howard (Earlene) Kemnitz; sisters Edna (Jack) High, Jean (Ernie) Eller, Irma (Ron) Genschaw, Gladys (John) Anderson, Marian (Harry) Schultz, Nelda (Mike) Hoffer and Norma (Harold) Westervelt.
The family wishes to thank Hospice of Spokane for their wonderful care, especially Kelly, Vicki, Maggie, Karen and Bruce.
Also, many thanks to Mark and Keith from the Home-Base Primary Care Team at the VA Medical Center for their care and concern.
A memorial service with a luncheon to follow will be held at Advent Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley on August 17, 2012, at 11:00 AM.
Private interment will follow at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery in Medical Lake at 3:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Spokane in his name.