Elisabeth 'Betsy' E. Willis

Elizabeth "Betsy" Willis, age 76, of Alpena passed away suddenly of a stroke on Wednesday, January 25th 2017, at the Mid-Michigan Medical Center of Alpena.
Betsy was born on March 12th 1940, to the late Carl and Evelyn (Driver) Penney in Newport News, Virginia. She graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science and Design degree. It was there that she met her husband of 54 years, Richard, a pre-med student. They were married on June 16th 1962, in Newport News, Virginia. After time in Florida and Midland they settled in Alpena in 1971.
Betsy raised 4 children and as they grew, she devoted more time to her art and volunteer work at the Jesse Besser Museum among other venues. At age 50, she began a new career working in Taxidermy right up to the time of her passing.
Betsy and Richard attended the First Baptist Church in Ann Arbor, and since 2011 have attended and become members of the First Baptist Church in Alpena. She enjoyed the outdoors; camping; backpacking; gardening; hunting; and fishing. Betsy was also an avid Michigan football fan, attending games at the Big House in Ann Arbor each fall.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Richard and their four children: Dr. Randolph (Samina) Willis of Switzerland; Tracy (Steve) Arnold and Kevin (Margarita) Willis both of Colorado; and Erik (Xochitl) Willis of Chicago; her 11 grandchildren, and her brother Murray (Arliss Nygard) Penney of Saratoga Springs, NY.
Family and friends will gather for a memorial visitation at Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home on Saturday, July 22nd 2017, from 10 A.M. until the Memorial Service begins at 12 Noon with Reverends James Kent and Paul Moceri officiating at the Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home.
Immediately following the service there will be a dinner-luncheon in celebration of Betsy's life at the Jesse Besser Museum from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M.
Internment will be at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery in Maple Ridge Township.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jesse Besser Museum, First Baptist Church of Alpena, or charity of choice.

Saturday - July 22, 2017 Memorial Visitation 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Memorial Service 12:00 Noon Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home Dinner-Luncheon 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Jesse Besser Museum

Saturday, July 22, 2017 12:00 PM

KARPUS HUNTER FUNERAL HOME 516 W CHISHOLM ST Alpena, Michigan 49707

Saturday - July 22, 2017 Memorial Visitation 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Memorial Service 12:00 Noon Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home Dinner-Luncheon 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Jesse Besser Museum