Carol Jean (Spaulding) Willis

Carol Jean (Spaulding) Willis, 86, passed away February 23 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family. She was born to Carl and Ola (Spaulding) on February 20, 1935 in Assyria Township. She was the granddaughter of Dan Olmstead, a pioneer who lived to be 105 years old. Carol lived most of her life in the Bellevue area. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1953 and married the love of her life, Donald Willis in 1955. They settled in Bellevue where they raised three children. Their love created 65 years of memories with family and friends.

Carol worked at Oliver Aircraft Plant, Associate Discount Loan Company and was Secretary to the principal at Bellevue High School, retiring in 1985. She volunteered her time and was a member of numerous organizations. She did work for the Eaton County Health Department, was a member of the ETC. Club of Bellevue, the 20th Century Club, the Historical Society of Bellevue, the Bellevue Good Samaritan Food Pantry, and was on the Board of the Bellevue Scholarship Committee. She was an active member of the Bellevue United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, served on the Board of Trustees, Parsonage Committee, Memorial Committee and did many acts of volunteering in and for the church, many of which no one ever knew about. Carol taught Sr. High Sunday School and was a camp counselor at Lake Louise Sr. High Camp. She also served on the Conference Youth Task Force and the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church for four years. She helped to build two Habitat Houses in the Albion area.
Carol loved to travel with Don. They traveled to Alaska, Israel, Egypt, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, the Caribbean and traveled extensively throughout the United States. They enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Whirlaways. She liked to sew, paint and be with friends. Carol loved to cook and shared many meals with family and friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She and Don enjoyed hosting and organizing family get-togethers and loved spending time with family near and far. She enjoyed spending her final years in their log cabin feeding and watching the deer, birds and wildlife.
Carol will be lovingly remembered by her husband Don, children Debra (Jeff) Norman, Daniel (Toni) Willis and Roger (Marina) Willis. Grandchildren Nick Shane, Aaron Graszler, Kristin Willis, Amy Haudek, Johnathan Willis, Kyle and Mitch Norman and 10 great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings Marion Roggow and Bernita Cornwell.
Carol was greatly loved by all who knew her and will be missed more than words can describe.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 to 12 noon at the Bellevue United Methodist Church. Due to current health guidelines, a private memorial service will be held for the family with a public Celebration of Life planned for the summer. Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 205 N Elizabeth St, Bellevue, MI 49021. Please visit http://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Bellevue Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Carol Willis, 904 West Capital Avenue Bellevue, MI 49021 or the Bellevue Good Samaritan Food Pantry.