W.H. Wilcox

Willis H. Wilcox Jr. passed away in his home of 57 years in Paola, Kansas on June 9, 2015. W.H. Wilcox was born February 22, 1928 at the home of his parents, Willis H. Wilcox Sr. and Bernice L. McGee Wilcox east of Blue Mound, Kansas. He attended the first 8 years of school at the one room school house, # 101, about a mile each way from his house. W.H. graduated from Blue Mound high school in 1946, and then attended trade school where he learned numerous skills that would serve him well in supporting his wife, Lorraine, and their 3 children. W.H. and Lorraine Bruner were married June 5, 1949 at the Federated Church in Blue Mound, and made their home near Blue Mound, where W.H. farmed with his dad. In 1957 they moved to Paola Kansas, the second family to move in to the new neighborhood, Country Club Heights. The family grew up quickly and happily while the newest neighborhood in town just as quickly filled up with families and kids. Both Lorraine and W.H. remained in that home until they took their final breath. W.H. was loved by all who met him. He was well known in all the neighborhood by all the kids as the person to see if your bicycle or basketball hoop broke. He could fix almost anything, maybe not with the original parts, but with something in his collection of junk. It usually worked, and held together better than the original. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paola, Kansas. W.H. was preceded in death by both his parents and his wife, Lorraine with whom he had just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last June before she passed away in September of 2014. He is survived by his sons, Kenneth G. Wilcox of Houston, Texas, Willis D. Wilcox (Colleen) of Olathe, Kansas, and daughter Rosemary Watson (Charlie) of Blue Mound, Kansas, as well as 10 grandchildren (and spouses), 14 great-grandchildren, 3 step great-grandchildren, and 2 step great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Autism Speaks. To share a memory of W.H. or to leave a condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button.