NILES – Harry L. “Piggy” Willis, 85, of Harger Avenue, Niles, died Friday, June 11, 2010, at 3:25 p.m. at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following an extended illness.
Mr. Willis was born April 13, 1925, in Sumnerville to Lester and Irene (Kasbaum) Willis. He lived most of his lifetime in this area. He retired in 1986 after 38 1/2 years of service at Bendix/Allied Signal in South Bend.

Mr. Willis was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, having served in the U.S. Navy.

He enjoyed golf, baseball and fast-pitch softball, winning a state softball championship in 1955.

He also enjoyed lunching with retirees on a regular basis, especially Bendix retirees.
On April 10, 1951, in Dowagiac, he married the former Mary Jane Bray, who died March 23, 1994.

Harry is survived by: his children, Kathy Blue and Cindy Willis, of Dowagiac; and Rickey Willis, of Buchanan; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Willis was preceded in death by: his parents; a son, Mike Willis, who died Aug. 7, 2000; and a brother, Norman Willis, in May 1993.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Gerald Bushnell of Apostolic Lighthouse in Dowagiac officiating.

Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Harry may be made to Hospice at Home.