Beverley "Bev" Willis

Beverley Willis was born on February 24, 1946 in Warrington, England, one of two children of Ronald Oliver and Alice Evelyn (Edwards) Willis. After Ronald's death the family immigrated to the Grande Ronde Valley in 1953 to be near some of Alice's family.

Bev, as he was best known attended schools in Union and La Grande.  After graduating from La Grande High School with the class of 1964 he attended Eastern Oregon College where he earned a bachelor's degree.  He later attended graduate classes at Portland State University.

The Portland metro area is where Bev's career began as a building contractor specializing in high end homes.  Over the years he also owned some rental properties including the "Montgomery Wards" building in La Grande, now known as the La Grande Town Center.

Though he wasn't a golfer, Bev belonged to the La Grande Country Club as a social member for a few years.  He enjoyed good food and fine dining.  He was also a car buff, especially Corvettes which he owned for many years.  He loved his many dogs over the years and could be found each day at the dog park exercising them.  He also adopted a few cats.  Bev liked people and had several lifelong friendships in La Grande.

Survivors include his sister Pat Ruth of La Grande; niece Cindy Shultz of McMinnville, Oregon,  nephew Craig Ruth of Colville, Washington; great-nephews, Micheal Ruth of Hermiston, Oregon, C.J. Ruth of Cove, Oregon, Collin Ruth of Cove, Oregon and Bev's beloved labradoodle Tula.

He was preceded in death by his parents and  a brother-in-law Mike Ruth and several beloved dogs and cats.

Bev passed away suddenly Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande at the age of 79.

Contributions in memory of Beverley Willis may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Association, 3212 Hwy 30, La Grande, OR 97850.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at Daniels-Knopp Chapel, 1502 7th Street, La Grande.