James Edward Wills, age 57, of Payson, passed away Monday, February 9, 1998.

He was born July 7, 1940 in East Chicago, Indiana, a son of George Watson and Eleanor Josephine Bates Wills.

He married Merrilee Fisher in August 1960 in Highland, Indiana. They were later divorced. He married Karen Janeane Armstrong, January 24, 1975 in Provo, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized October 11, 1986 in the Provo LDS Temple.

James worked for Geneva Steel. He loved being with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He was a high priest and had served as a stake missionary and a Sunday School teacher. He had been involved in all aspects of Scouting.

Jim was many things to many people. He was a husband. Father, step-father, grandpa, leader and friend. His love for life, learning, and family was reflected by the way he lived.

Although a deeply spiritual man, he was sometimes missing from church, preferring the serenity of "God's Country." He loved camping, fishing and hunting ghost towns. His desire to learn more about the people of the past grew into a passion. He spent the last few years of his life visiting ghost towns, Indian ruins, and listening to stories told by the people who had once lived in those areas. In addition, he loved poetry, music, theater literature, and never passed an opportunity to tell a good story or two himself.

Though this chapter of his life has ended, his love and passion will continue to touch those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Karen,
of Payson ; three daughters and three sons : Bonnie Sedan, Brigham City Matthew Wills, Ogden Andrea (Trent) Clark, Brigham City Jenness (Randle) Wood, Salt Lake City Jason Wills, Boise, Idaho ; and Edward Gene (Jamie) Wills, of Payson ; three step-daughters and a step-son : Nancy Joe) Brown, Provo Jayne (Samuel) Roberson-Romero, Enid, Oklahoma ; Sunney (Eric) Davis, Lander Wyoming and James A. (Jennie) Callis, of Pocatello ;, 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren an aunt, Mary Catherine Bates Auchenbach, of Taylorsville, Illinois. He was preceded in death by a step daughter Diana Kaye, two brothers, Robert and John Wills, a sister JoElyn Hahn, and his best buddy and partner in crime; Duke.

Services will be Friday, February 13, 1998, 11 a. m. in the Payson West Eighth Ward Chapel, 730 W. 500 South.
Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary, 587 S. 100 West, Payson,
Thursday 6-8 p. m., or at the church Friday, 10-10 : 45 a. m. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Burial:
Evergreen Cemetery
Springville
Utah County
Utah, USA
Plot: Sec. J Lot 67 Pos. 11