Harold Junior Willis

Harold Junior Willis, 71 of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away Friday, September 26, 2014, at Callaway District Hospital. Junior was born July 20, 1943, in Lexington, NE to Harold and Margaret (Klein) Willis. He grew up near Merna, NE until 1959, when the family moved to his lifelong home – the ranch north of Callaway. In 1960, he began his farming and ranching career with his father. The partnership would later become Willis Land and Cattle. After the move, Junior began attending Callaway High School. It was there he met the love of his life, Nancy Cantrell. Junior and Nancy graduated together in 1961, and later married on October 6, 1962. Junior’s life was full of the things he loved; the land, cattle, horses, his family and friends. Junior and Nancy sponsored multiple foreign exchange students through the years and maintained very special relationships with some of them up until his death. His heart was full of love and generosity. Junior loved to travel and was a voracious reader throughout his life. He enjoyed watching rodeo and Husker sports. His kind and gentle nature touched the lives of many and he would always go out of his way to help others. Junior was a long time member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and served on the Church Board. He also served on the Callaway School Board for 16 years and was one of the original founding members of the Seven Valley’s Rodeo Association and continued that membership for over 43 years. Survivors include his wife of nearly 52 years, Nancy; one son and one daughter, Jeff of Callaway, NE and Julie (Gene) Ross of Fremont, NE; 4 grandchildren, Hunter and Ellana Willis of Callaway and Jacob and Jackson Ross of Fremont; mother-in-law, Lucille Cantrell of Callaway; sister, Joan (James) Downey of Merna, NE; brother, Burton (Carol) Willis of Callaway; 5 nephews and 3 nieces. Junior was preceded in death by his parents; and, father-in-law, Marion Cantrell. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway with Reverends Thomas Gudipalli and James Novakowski concelebrating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to Nigel Sprouse Memorial Library, St. Boniface Catholic Church, Callaway District Hospital, or Callaway Rural Fire Department. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.