Willis Leist

Willis C. Leist, 87, of Banks Township died Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Charlevoix Area Hospital.

He was born August 28, 1927 in Grand Rapids to William and Ida (Miller) Leist.

Willis served with the U.S. Army in the European theater during WWII.

He married Ruth L. Burley in 1971 and she died in 1980.

On April 11, 1987 he married Edith Silvers in Highland, Michigan. They lived in Milford and moved to Banks Township in 1993.

Willis worked for and retired from General Motors Pontiac Division in Pontiac. He enjoyed gardening, golfing and watching sports.

Besides his wife Edith he is survived by children Heidi (Mark) Judkins of Hampton, South Carolina, Brian Leist of Fairview Park, Ohio, and Curtis Leist of Austin, Texas; sister Ruth Stiles of Holly, Michigan; sister-in-law Geraldine Leist of Fenton, Michigan; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Mildred Cook, Doris Marvin, Harold Leist, Darold Leist, Arlene Knowlton, Wilma Leist, Kenneth Leist and infant brother Floyd Leist.

Friends may call Monday, November 10 at Hastings Funeral Home in Ellsworth from 4 to 7 p.m.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Eastport Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Troyer officiating. Burial will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan, Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 1:30 PM.


For those wishing to make memorial contributions the family suggests Eastport Baptist Church. Sign the online guest book at www.hastingsfuneral.com