Avery, Willis Virgil, PO1

Willis V. Avery passed away on May 13, 2015 at the age of 93, following his wife Miriam and son Raymond. He is survived by daughter Sandra Sanders of El Dorado Hills, CA and son Bill Avery of Boulder City, NV and grandsons Chris, Jason, and Tim Avery and Greg Sanders and two great granddaughters. Willis grew up on a dairy farm in Vestal, NY. He joined the US Navy at 18 years old prior to the beginning of WWII. He served as a First Class Pharmacist Mate aboard the USS Solace, a hospital ship that was moored alongside Battleship Row during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He and members of his crew went aboard the burning USS Arizona to give aid to the wounded and help them abandon the sinking ship. He was given a Naval Commendation of Service for his "distinguished devotion and extraordinary courage and disregard for his own safety." Forty-nine years later, Willis hosted the first USS Solace Reunion. Willis played saxophone and clarinet in the Navy band in Auckland, New Zealand where he met his wife, Miriam, of 54 years. Willis enjoyed a 33 year career with IBM Corporation in Endicott, NY, as a computer trouble shooter. A devoted husband and father, Willis had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh and enjoyed telling a good story. His interests included raising beagles, ham radio, and golf. He continued to play clarinet throughout his life. He and Miriam retired to Lady Lake, Florida and then to Boulder City, NV in 1991. Much of his time in later years was spent enjoying the company of friends and playing pool at the Senior Center. Memorial service will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada on May 29 at 10:40 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Senior Center of Boulder City, 813 Arizona Street, Boulder City, NV 89005.