Obituary of Willis A. Banks

Willis A Banks Jr. passed away peacefully at his residence on March 22, 2012 surrounded by family. Willis was born at home in N. Searsmont, Maine on November 6, 1926 to Willis and Carrie (Stickney) Banks. He attended the one room schoolhouse there until high school. After graduation from Lincoln Academy in Wiscasset, Willis joined the US Army Air Force and was part of the occupation force in post WWII Germany. When he returned home, he worked at Consumer's Fuel in Belfast for 20 years. In the early seventies, Willis started his own heating installation and repair business which he ran for 25 years. During this time he enjoyed boating on Penobscot Bay and RV travel with his family and friends. Upon retirement, he was advised to get more exercise which he did by walking the roads of Waldo County and bringing home recyclables. He also worked part time at the Car Wash belonging to his good friends, Gene & Shelly Merrill. He was an active life time member of the VFW where he held the positions of Post Commander and National Aide de Camp. Willis is predeceased by his first wife, Arlene Duncan and by his third wife, Ione Thompson Brown Banks; two sisters, Shirley and Phyllis; two stepchildren, Donald and Edie. Survivors include his daughter, Brenda W. Banks-Tirone of MA; sister, Pauline Mann and her husband Michael; stepchildren Rhonda and Gloria Brown of Belfast; Judy Haley of CT; two grandchildren, Cara Reed and Paul Banks-Tirone of NY; ten step-grandchildren; eleven step-great grandchildren and one step-great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his second wife, Cynthia Percy and her daughter, Jacqueline as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., on Sunday, March 25th from 6 – 8 PM where Funeral service will be held on Monday, March 26th at 11:00 AM with Rev. Ken Davenport officiating. Interment will be at the Maine Veteran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Hospice organization of your choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com