Lewie Z. Willson

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Lewie Z. Willson, 81, heard the Master’s call Nov. 20, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah after a brave battle with cancer.
Born Oct. 2, 1932 in Elmo, Utah to Myron and Ada (Winder) Willson. He left home in 1948 to work for Charlie Redd in La Sal, Utah. Lewie served in the US Army during the Korean War in 1953-1955 earning the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star, the UN Service medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Married Bonnie Lou (Cloud) Willson July 31, 1957 in Palisade, Colo. and shared wedding cake with a grizzly while honeymooning in Yellowstone. He was a loving father who taught by example to always work hard, play fair, and hang in there. No matter the day or hour, if someone asked, “How are you?” Lewie would answer, “Good, good”. If we lived by his example, we would all have the courage to see and do everything we wanted, enjoy all that’s good in life, do harm to no one, always tell the truth, mind our own business, put others first, and be the best at whatever we attempted.
Lewie lived in and near La Sal, Utah working for Redd Ranches for many years and later retired from Gunnison County, Colo. where he worked as a heavy equipment operator.
The best cowboy, pie baker and storyteller there ever was…… “Now listen, we had a helluva time, didn’t we?”
Survived by brothers: Ellis, Pat, and Leland; sisters: Polley, Lana, and Aurelia; children: Calvin, Clay and Margret; Grandchildren: Valarie, Amanda, Tyler, Noorah, and Lewie and 2 great grandchildren.
Services will begin with a viewing at Clark’s Valley Lawn Chapel, 505 S. 2nd St. in Montrose, Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. A graveside service, with Military honors, will follow at 1 p.m. at Valley Lawn Cemetery, south of Montrose on Hwy. 550. Mike Wilcox of La Sal, Utah will officiate and Ellis Willson, Wellington, Utah, will dedicate the grave.
Happy Trails, partner, until we meet again.
Funeral arrangements and interment have been entrusted to Clark’s Valley Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery. 970-249-4400.