Theresa “Kila” Willis, passed away the evening of Friday August 9, twenty days before her 90th birthday telling every person she saw, “I love you” and apologizing for the sorrow she knew we all would feel.
Kila was born on August 29, 1934, in Hana, Maui, Hawaii to Maximo and Luciana “Lucy” Atay.
Kila’s childhood was filled with joyful adventure and mischief, usually directed towards her protective older brothers. She enjoyed reading, swing dancing, hula dancing, swimming, and cliff-diving. Seeking her independence and freedom, Kila joined the US Air Force in 1952 stationed in Long Beach while attending college to study Library Science.
While in the Air Force, Kila met her husband William “Bill” Willis from Des Moines, Iowa. They were married while stationed in California and in 1958 they moved to Waukee where she raised four children. Kila worked as a hula dancer at the Polynesian Club. She enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, watching sports, watching Perry Mason, playing cards and laughing with family and friends. She will be remembered by everyone as “Mom” and for her beauty, grace, gentle encouragement and sympathy without judgment.
Kila is survived by her four children: Mona “Dusty” Morrison, Sonya (Ron Christianson), Craig “Poncho,” Michael (Jonah Hollister-Willis), sister Joan “Nona” (Peter) Ai, brother-in-law Robert (Mina) Willis, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Kila is proceeded in death by her husband Bill, parents Maximo and Lucy, sister Rosie Perry and brothers Gino, Pacheo, Donny, John and two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Poncho’s Friendly Confines in Waukee on Sunday, September 22nd, at 2:00 PM. A private burial will be held at a later date.