Sept. 30, 1930 ~ April 20, 2025
Robert Warren “Bob” Willis was born Sept. 30, 1930, in Udall, Kan., to Clifford John “Buster” and Ethel Mildred Willis. He was the oldest of seven siblings and grew up in Kansas. In Kansas, he met the love of his life, Marcelyn Selbe. They married on Oct. 2, 1948, at the age of 18. In 1949, the family moved to Rangely, Colorado, to follow other family members who were working in the booming oil industry. Bob and Marcelyn had five children: Barbara, Bonnie, Bill, Patty and Linda. Bob and Marcelyn raised all their children in Rangely, Colorado, in the Chevron Oil Camps while he worked for the Chevron Oil Company. Bob had many hobbies and was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, trapping, riding four-wheelers, snowmobiling, spending time with family, and hammering nails. The hobby of hammering nails led Bob to build the beautiful family cabin near Buford, Colorado, where Bob and Marcelyn retired after 37 years with Chevron Oil. In retirement, Bob stayed busy with all his mountain outdoor hobbies, as well as working for the White River Forestry Department, keeping campgrounds clean. He spent many hours traveling the dirt roads around the cabin and knew the land better than most. When the elements of mountain living at the cabin became a little too hard, Bob and Marcelyn moved to Fruita, Colorado, in 2005 to be closer to family. In Fruita, Bob still needed to stay busy by swinging his hammer and working as a ranch hand on a small local ranch. After 94 years of good living, Bob’s shining light went out on April 20, 2025, (Easter Sunday) at his Fruita home with his wife of 76 years by his side. During his time on earth, he built a strong root system with five children, 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
In remembrance of Bob, a memorial service will be held Friday, May 23, at 4 p.m. at Brown’s Funeral Home, Grand Junction, Colorado. The family will also hold a celebration of Bob’s life Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. at the cabin he built near Buford, Colorado.
Flowers are welcome for the memorial service, or memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org.
