Obituaries

Dear Collette Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you on Willis's passing. We are so glad we met again after 50 years and spent that wonderful, entertaining afternoon in Stirling when you visited with Sandy and Jess. I did not think Willis had changed that much from his cricket picture in the high school year book. His smile was still the same! Sharing memories from high school and stories through the years will always be tenderly cherished. You are in our prayers Collette and God Bless.;

It has been my wonderful good fortune to have Willis as my closest friend for over a quarter century. We met while working in the same group at Magnetic Peripherals, and I rapidly came to appreciate the depth and breadth of his engineering talent. Fortunately for me, he was a patient teacher for anyone willing to learn. Over time we shared interests outside of work and soon my wife Cathy and I were invited home to meet Collette and enjoy both her good company her culinary skills. Through good times and bad, Willis showed himself a man of integrity and honor. Yes means yes; no means no. If he said he would do something, it was done. He never put his interests before others, seeking to ?do the right thing? and assumed others would do the same. A natural optimist, he faced adversity head-on. Without guile or pretension, Willis conquered with knowledge, an infectious sense of humor, wit, and natural generosity. I will miss him more than I can say. Colette, while words are wholly inadequate comfort, please accept our heartfelt sympathy and affection. We hope our friendship will continue through the end of our days.;

Collette, Thank you very much for taking the time to phone me in your time of grief. Pauline and I offer you our heartfelt sympathy. However I think these words from a Robert Burns poem sum up Willis well and we hope they give you some comfort. 'An honest man here lies at rest. As e'er God with His image blest: The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age and guide of youth: Few hearts like his - with virtue warm'd Few heads with knowledge so inform'd If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none he made the best of this. Love Tom and Pauline;

Dear Collette I cannot begin to say how sad I am to hear your news about Willis. I am so glad I had the chance to meet again at the High School of Stirling reunion in 2008. The years just fell away and it was as if we were continuing a conversation we had started the day before. Willis was my partner in the school tennis team and I have never enjoyed games more than when I was playing with him. He always made me laugh even although he was a serious and excellent player. I am so grateful that you both made the effort to spend time with me each year when you were home in Scotland on visits. I am so grateful to have had Willis as a very dear friend. He was one of a kind, a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with you Collette Lots of love Gracie;

Who will fix my dying Beetle now? Who will change the gaskets on my clapped-out Ford now? Who will make me envious of his Mini Cooper now? Who will play chess with me till 3 am now? Who will play marathon canasta sessions with the family now? Who will stand on the first tee at Kings Park now and lash a drive 250 yards down the middle? Who will share Gin and it's and Tournedod Rossini with me now? Who will give me solace now after too many Newcastle Brown Ales? Who will stem the tears as they well in my eyes?;

Collette, nothing we can say will take the hurt of losing Willis away. Memories though are sweet and these nobody can take from you or from us. May God grant you the strength to face each new day. Lots of love Bill and Sadie;

Dear Collette, Isobel and I were so sorry to hear of Willis' death. I have so many fond memories, especially a broken front tooth, from our days at Blackridge Primary School. It was good after so many years to meet up again with you and Willis. We did enjoy the last time we were all together catching up with Sandy and Billy Lambie and Sadie and Bill. It's of little consolation at a time like this but the memories that Willis has left behind will I'm sure bring comfort in the coming days. You are in our thoughts and prayers, God Bless you Collette. Alex and Isobel;

Had it not been for the Hunky Dory we would never have met---one of life's interesting intersections! We met with you (without fail!) twice a year and enjoyed each and every opportunity to catch-up and learn of your latest travel adventures. When we went to Scotland, it was Willis that encouraged us to visit Stirling and you, Collette, that wisely advised us to make certain to get a rental car with automatic drive. Willis was just a flat-out terrific individual. He was smart, charming, funny and a great story teller; he will be missed. If we are unable to attend on Tuesday, please know that both he and you are in our thoughts. Carol and Jeff;

Dear Collette, Lorna and I were so very sad to hear that Willis had passed away. Always fun to be with, he has been a friend for more than 55 years, through school, university and after. I shared a room with him at university, and we have many happy memories of the times we have spent with Willis and yourself. We remember the great times we had at weekends in Pollockshaws, at the University Ball, at Willis' dad's caravan at Kenmore, and our ballroom dancing lessons, and always we remember the laughter, fun and generous hospitality. It was good to see you both at York last year, talking and laughing over old times. Willis never changed from the first time I met him at Stirling High School aged 12. He was quietly confident, and competent in everything he did, with a sharp wit and an endless supply of stories. He was so easy to be with. Ours has been a long and happy friendship, and we send our love to you, Collette, and we are thinking of you at this very sad time. Lorna and Eddie;

Where there was laughter, good conversation and good friends gathering, there was Willis! Willis's quick and clever sense of humor drew everyone to him. I am blessed to have known Willis and to know Collette, a couple whose love for each other was always very visible. There was never one without the other. So as my sadness for his loss lingers on at this time, I am grateful to have known him and to have the fond memories of his friendship. Ironically, a popular song at this Christmas time seems very appropriate to describe Willis, a ?Joy to the World?! Love to you dear Collette Janet;

hi collette, so sad to hear of willis' passing. will always hold fond memories from the early days with honeywell through the many other occasions over the years. he was a great guy and true friend. my sympathies to you in his absence.;

I had the privilege of knowing Willis as a good friend and have worked closely with him several years. I considered Willis a wonderful friend and one of the most talented Engineers I have known. He will be dearly missed.;

Collette, I am so sorry to hear about Willis. I will always remember his smile and laugh. He was such a nice man. We loved the times he stayed with us in Lexington. I will always remember coming to MN and visiting you and Willis. We had so many wonderful time. He will be so missed. I hope to talk to you soon. Love Sally;

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Willis. He was a true professional, a wonderful colleague and a very caring person. Willis made the world a better place. He will be missed.;

Willis was one of my favorite people to work with at Seagate. We spoke of many topics. I was always impressed with his technological knowledge, his obvious caring of his family and his many funny stories. I remember sitting in his office playing with many of his toy's he kept on his desk while we discussed business. He will be missed greatly and my heart goes out to the family.;

Dear Collette, I am saddened to here of Willis's passing. I worked with him at Seagate and found him to be a very caring and personable guy. He always treated people at Seagate with respect no matter what level in the corporate hierarchy. It was my pleasure to have known him. I will pray that you will have more joy in remembering than heartache in missing him.;

Willis was truly one of the best people I've ever known. He was an awesome and patient teacher and I will miss him dearly. Willis had met and known my entire family over the past 20 years and we are all deeply saddened by his passing. I had returned recently from my first visit to his beloved Scotland and was anxious to share my experiences with him and had just emailed him to meet in January. I even found a Scotch I could drink and was eager to hear his thoughts as he always gave me grief for saying his homeland brew tasted like gasoline to me! I guess it'll have to wait until we meet again. I will miss his jolly laugh and endless stories and most of all, his friendship. My sincere condolences and love to Colette from my whole family. Paul & Jody