OBITUARY.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 32, 18 March 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

j MR ROBERT JOHN WILLIS. ! A WELL-KNOWN CITIZEN. ! i j Quite a gloom was cast over Papaltura and district on Tuesday when it be- \ came known that Mr Robert Willis had passed away. familiar figure in the ; township, Mr Willis was of a retiring, ' but nevertheless charming disposition and was highly respected by all who made his acquaintance. His cherry smile and kindly nature will be sadly i missed in Papakura. j Mr Willis was among the oldest j residents in the district, having been ■ born in Papakura 79 years ago, being ; the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Robert Willis. On leaving the Papakura school where he was educated, he served his time with the old es- ■ tablished firm of J. C. Morrin of AuckI land.

i As there were no trains running to ; Papakura in those days, Mr Willis | used to ride a pony to Penrose on Monday mornings with one of his brothers ; who brought the pony back. There j he caught the train to Auckland, worki ing long hours till nearly midnight on ; Saturdays. Mr Willis very frequenti ly walked home. After serving his I time in Auckland lie entered into his father’s general store at Papakura, and later became manager of the store owned by the Willis Bros. lie w-as an excellent shot and nothing gave him more pleasure than to go out; duck shooting every season in the Rangiriri district. In the early days when the railway reserve was all bush and scrub, many a good pheasant fell to his gun. A wonderful judge of horses and cattle, he always kept a well-bred horse for his own personal use, and was one of the riders. at the race meetings held on a track which circled the present village green. The firm of Willis Bros, was also noted for its good horse flesh. Many organisations in Papakura have reason to thank the late Mr Willis for hfs generosity, for a worthy object was never turned down by him. Mr Willis was a most liberal and cheerful giver. For a brief period he served as town clerk without pay in the -very early days of the Papakura Town Board of which he was also a member for many years, but being of a very retiring disposition he never would accept the position of chairman.

lie was a constant attendee and most loyal supporter of the Anglican faith and gave many years of valuable service on Christ church vestrv.

Tiie late Mr Willis leaves a widow and daughter, Mrs S. Harrowed of Reinuera. Two sons predeceased him. There are three surviving brothers. Mr George Willis of One Tree Hill, Mr Alfred Willis" of Papakura. Mr Harry Willis of Papakura, and one sister. Miss F. Willis of Papakura.