Willis BARTLEY

 Willis BARTLEY, of Springfield (OH), died at 9:30 p.m. May 17, 2006 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 21, 1926 in Henderson, KY the son of John and Verna Bartley. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the Western Pacific. He retired in 1985 from the Springfield News-Sun after 34 years as a compositor.

Willis was an avid fisherman. His favorite fishing holes were in Wisconsin, Canada and Florida where he and his wife resided for 13 years, and especially Ohio. He was a former member of the Clark County B.A.S.S. Masters Club. He loved being around his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Erma-Jean (Evans); son, Dan (Nancy) Bartley of Springfield; daughters, Beckey Burr (Mike) of Woodland Park, CO and Nancy Bartley (Frank Dean) of Springfield; 11 grandchildren, Chris Burr (Amy) of Cape Coral, FL, Matt Bartley (Tami) of Xenia (OH) , Jeff Burr, Melissa Tuttle (Jason) all of Springfield, Heather Newingham (Paul) of Edenton, NC, Paul Burr (Kelly) of Colorado Springs, CO, John Bartley, Jerry (Cathy) McManamay, Kyle Bartley (Kristy), Danielle Bartley and Amanda Bechtel all of Springfield; 15 great grandchildren; sister, Mary Bell Dailey of KY:  several nieces, nephews and very special friends, Peter and Sarah Orgill, Brian and Linda Ishii and Scott and Colette Halliday all of Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Arnold and Mary Liz and Paul and Marg and his son David Lee Bartley.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. May 22, 2006 in CONROY FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Rick Clos officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Internment will be in Ferncliff Cemetery Soldier's Mound. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice in his memory.