Willis Dale Thiessen, 81, of Marion, IN, passed away July 25, 2016, in Norman, OK, where he was visiting family.
Willis was born Feb. 20, 1935, to Abraham John and Marie Goertz Thiessen in Mt. View, OK, the fourth of five children: Older siblings Walter, Verna, and Dewey, and younger sister Lanita, all now deceased. After graduating from high school, Willis studied to be a pastor at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, and completed his B.A. degree in Christian Education at Bryan College in Dayton, IN. He then attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK, earning a pilot’s license, mechanic’s license, and certification as a pilot instructor. He worked for a few years as a pilot/mechanic before joining Wycliffe Bible Translators, where he met Alma Cordle, from Charlotte, NC, in jungle training camp. Will and Alma were married on June 17, 1967, in Charlotte, NC, in a double ceremony with Alma’s identical twin sister.
Willis and Alma served with Wycliffe at the JAARS headquarters in Waxhaw, NC, and then Willis attended Spanish Language School in San Jose, Costa Rica. After language school, Will and Alma served in the jungle of Ecuador among the Jivaro people group. Due to health problems, Willis and Alma returned to the U.S. where he worked as a company pilot/service repairman for W.A. Whitney in Rockford, IL, for several years. Willis returned to full-time ministry as a pastor for 35 years at churches in Stilwell, OK; Kansas City, KS; Sully, IA; and Tahlequah, OK. He retired to Marion, IN, in 2009, where he attended Upland Community Church and First Baptist Church of Marion.
Willis enjoyed sailing, fishing, model trains and planes, and music. He sang throughout high school and college, played the Spanish guitar, and in later years, taught himself the violin. He also greatly enjoyed reading to and playing with his grandchildren.
Willis is survived by his wife Alma; four children: Tammie (Ben Huntington), Grace (Wes Johnson), Alan, and John (Jana); and 11 grandchildren: Rett, Austin, Caleb and Nakita Huntington; Seth, Sarah, Anna, Ariella, and Lydia Johnson; Cinda and Brylee Thiessen. He was preceded in death by grandchildren Isaiah and Zachary Thiessen.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, at Upland Community Church, 439 W. Berry Ave., Upland, IN 46989. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Lightrider Ministries, 168 S. 2nd Street, Upland, IN 46989.
