Willis R. Maurer, 93, Fairbury, passed away peacefully at 6:33 am Sunday, January 27, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

His funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Friday, February 1, 2019 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Strawn with Fr. Scott Archer officiating.  Burial will follow in Strawn cemetery with full military rites accorded by the American Legion J.A. Folwell Post 174.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.

Willis was born March 16, 1925 in Wing, IL the son of John and Bertha (Metz) Maurer.  He married Rita Somers on January 13, 1951 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Strawn, IL and had just celebrated their 68 ^th wedding anniversary.

Surviving are his loving wife, Rita, and their children, Mark (Mary) Maurer, Strawn; Mike, Towanda; Mary (David Voigts) Vaughan, Bloomington, Patricia Wilkey, Dwight, Joe (Sherri) Maurer, Rantoul; Lori (Gregg) Jacobs, Bloomington; Beth (Larry) Nolan, Bloomington, and son-in-law, Tom Vaughan, Fairbury; brother-in-law, Dick Koehl, Fairbury;  13 grandchildren, Trisha (Tim) Koch, Ryan (Annette) Vaughan, Whitney (Brian) Scott, Katie (John) Martin, Brett Maurer, Kent (Mary) Maurer, Bayia Bradshaw, Will (Becky) Maurer, Samantha (Tyler) Buford, Tyler Maurer, Brianna Jacobs, Rachel and Grace Nolan, and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, Marvin, Vera Foster and Esther Koehl and his son-in-law, Steve Wilkey.

Willis was a lifelong farmer in the Forrest and Strawn area retiring in 1988.  He was a World War II Army veteran and served in Germany during the War of Occupation. He was a member of the American Legion J.A. Folwell Post 174 since 1952. In 2009, Willis had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C on the Chicago Honor Flight. He was a member of the F-S-W School Board for 9 years.

He enjoyed having coffee with his friends at Dave's, playing euchre, watching the Chicago Cubs and spending time with his family.

Willis's family would like to thank Advocate Hospice and special nighttime caregivers, Carolyn and Anna.

Memorials can be made to SELCAS or Fairview Haven.

He was a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great Papa and we will love him and miss him forever.