Willis Harrison Hart

MONMOUTH - Willis "Bill" Harrison Hart, 88, was born August 3, 1922 on the family farm in Marshall County, Iowa to Willis and Effie Hart. The family moved to Southern California when he was 5 years old, where he grew up and eventually attended Colton High School. He worked 2 years at North American Aviation, Inglewood, CA, before joining the Navy in 1942. He served until December 1945 as an electrician's mate, second class. He served on the USS Indiana and received 2 Silver stars as well as other medals. After the Navy discharge he was employed as an electrician at Kaiser Steel Plate Mill, Fontana, California for 37 years. He retired in 1982 and moved to Independence, Oregon in 1985. He married Ruth Leona Bryant in 1952. He was a hard working family man who was always there. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveled over the western and mid western states during vacations and after retirement. He was an active ham-radio operator (W6LOF) since the 1940's, achieving his advanced operator license. He would often be found in his "ham-radio room" talking with people throughout the world. He was not an idle man. If not at work he had projects and was working on improving his skills. "Can never learn to much" He made his first ham-radio equipment from kits and cautioned to study electronics many years. He was a jack of all trades, unafraid to tackle any task. He was preceded in death by his brother Vearl Hart and sister Geneva Hudson. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ruth Hart, daughters Laura (Walt) Landes, Deedra Quartuan, sons John Bryant and Dennis Baxter and grandsons Ben Kistler and Phil Kistler. His love and joking nature will be missed greatly. Private services will be held. Arrangements entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence.