Orville Leon Willis

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, Orville Leon Willis, born in Longwoods, MD, son of the late Clarence Milton and Elizabeth Estelle Willis nee Coppage. He was raised in Easton and graduated from the old Easton High School, later he attended Strayer-Bryant Business College in Baltimore and Western Maryland College in Westminster which upon graduation went to work for the General Bakery Company of Philadelphia as a salesman until 1942, then went to work for the People's Life Insurance Company as a life insurance agent in the Cambridge area. On October 7, 1944, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the 63rd Infantry Division in the European Theater where he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and was honorably discharged from service on March 11, 1946. At which point he returned to People's Insurance Company until April 1, 1955, where he began working for the U.S. Postal Service in Cambridge, until his retirement on February 3, 1989, 34 years later. On December 3, 1938, he married the former Bettye Mae Wright to which he was married to for 56 years. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Cambridge Masonic Lodge #66, Tall Cedars of Lebanon - Haywood R.A. Chapter 29, Knights Templar #14 Cambridge Commandery, was an active member of the Rescue Fire Company for 21 years and exempt member since 1988. He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie M. Malkus of Ellicott City, granddaughters; Angela (Robert) of Savage, and Catherine (Eddie) of Laurel, great grandchildren; Kenny of Arbutus, Amanda of Columbia, Mikelyn, Holly and Reilly of Laurel; and great-great grandsons; Ethan and Tristan. He is preceded in death by his wife Bettye Mae Willis, who passed on November 12, 1995; his son Raymond O. Willis; son-in-law LCDR Kenneth C. Malkus; siblings, Clarence Milton Willis, Benjamin Willis, and Hilda Callaway. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 27, 2012, at Christ Episcopal Church, on the corner of Church and High Streets, Cambridge, from 11am to 1pm, where funeral services will follow at 1pm. Interment in Christ Church Cemetery.