Willis H. Wise

Willis H. Wise, 88, Lapel, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at his home following a brief illness. He was born on July 12, 1924, in Hardscrabble, Indiana to Leslie and Helen (Valentine) Wise. He had attended Center School for 8 years and graduated from Lapel High School in 1942 and had attended General Motors Institute. He was a WWII Army Air Corps veteran and he was a B24 bomber pilot assigned to the 4th and 7th Air Force for three years. Willis retired in 1980 as a general supervisor of production from the former Guide Lamp Division of General Motors in Anderson after 40 years of employment. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Lapel where he had served as lay member to Annual Conference and trustee for many years; a over 60 year member of the Lapel Masonic Lodge No. 625; the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis; the Madison County Scottish Rite Club; the Anderson B. P. O. E. 209; and the Lapel American Legion Post 212. He married Schafalia McKinley on October 19, 1946 in the Lapel E. U. B. Church and she survives. Other survivors include, two daughters, Debra (Michael) McClain and Melanie (husband, Landoll) Sorrell both of Anderson; three grandchildren, Jennifer (husband, Kris) Coffey, Brandon (wife, Radiena) Kirby, and Jonathan Sorrell (Amber); nine great-grandchildren, McKenna, Alyssa, and Kinleigh Coffey, Brennalynn Kirby, Jayden and Violet Sorrell, Nolan, Ava, and Charlotte Keesee; one brother, Eugene (wife, Phyllis) Wise of Frankton; four sisters, Delores (husband, Al) Vanoy of Florida, Phyllis Funk of Lapel, Shirley Whisman and Nancy Hazelbaker both of Noblesville; one sister-in-law, Nancy Wise of Lapel; a brother-in-law, Thomas R. Robinson of Anderson; and several nieces, nephews, close friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard (wife, Naomi) Wise and Eddie Wise; and two brothers-in-law, Bob Whisman and Ted Funk. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Scott E. Hersberger Funeral Home in Lapel with Pastor Doug Barton officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Lapel where the Lapel American Legion will perform military graveside rites. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, October 19, 2012, at Scott E. Hersberger Funeral Home, 1010 North Main Street, Lapel and the Lapel Masonic Lodge will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:00 pm. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Autumn LeMar of Community Home Health Services of Fishers and niece, Schafalia (Suzie) Zirkle. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 606, Lapel, Indiana 46051-0606.
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