Obituary of Alice Pearl Willis

Alice Pearl Willis died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, September 23, 2018, in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 94. Alice is survived by her daughter Norma (Leo) Hellyer of Boise, Idaho, grandchildren Jennifer (Brian) Ferhn of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Alicia (Matt) Harris of Boise, Idaho, and great grandchildren Nevaeh, Rachel, Myah, and expected in January; Samuel Harris. She is also survived by Sisters Elva, Violet, and Irene and Brothers Harold and Herbert. She was preceded in death by Sisters Mildred and Margaret.

Alice was born in Ketchum, Idaho on May 6, 1924 and was the 4^th of 8 children. She graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1941. In January of 1942 she moved to San Diego, California and started serving as “Rosie the Riveter”. Alice contributed to the war effort by assembling B-26 engines. After World War II she moved to Kansas City, Kansas to train as a Radio Operator which is known as an Air Traffic Controller today. After graduation Alice was assigned to Gowen Field here in Boise. Alice met and married Bob Willis in 1949. Later they moved to Travis Air Force Base in California, where daughter Norma was born in 1954. Alice returned to Idaho in 1955 and started working for “Ma Bell” (Telephone Company). Alice worked for the telephone company until she retired at the age of 58.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at Boise First Baptist Church, 607 North 13^th Street, Boise, ID, at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 29, 2018.