On Monday, July 28, 2025, Richard L. Willis, loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, friend, and logger, went home to be with the Lord and his beautiful wife, Virginia. He passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 87.

Richard was born on Oct. 24, 1937, in Roseburg, Oregon, to Roy and Dorothy Willis and was the oldest of eight children. He was a 4th-generation descendant of settlers who arrived on the Oregon Trail. Richard met the woman that he was destined to spend his life with when he was just a newborn. Virginia laid her eyes on him for the first time when she was less than two years old. Richard and Virginia attended Reston School together in their youth and went on to raise their family on that school property. In the late 40s, Richard's family moved to Porter Creek, and for a few years their paths parted, only to be reunited in the halls of Roseburg High School in 1952. Each day, between the second and third period, they would pass one another and she would say "Hi," and Richard would blush and return the greeting. By the summer of '53, he began working year-round with his father in the woods. He had been doing this since he was big enough to reach the pedals on the CAT and pick up a chainsaw. He proudly provided for his family throughout his entire life.

On July 18, 1955, he married the love of his life, Virginia A. Matthews. They were blessed with 66 years of loving marriage before Virginia passed away in 2021. With resilience, love, and grace, Richard carried on without her… Always smiling and positive in nature. He formed many relationships with the angels who entered his life during the next four years. He was forever grateful for the loving care of his children, grandchildren, and caregivers who fulfilled his last dream in life, to remain in his home.

Together, they raised two sons, Richard J. (Millie) Willis, Benjamin L. (Terry) Willis, and three daughters, Jeannette L. (Tom) Keen, Cindy K. (Kevin) Ferner, and Charlene L. (Michael) Barclay. He was blessed with 21 grandchildren, over 40 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him deeply.

Richard worked in various occupations in the timber industry throughout his life. For decades, he was a timber faller for Sixes River Logging, owned by Scotty Shorb. Most of their jobs were between Reston and Sitkum. These were the years of big trees and even bigger men. Through his relationship with Scotty, they provided friends and family with the very best of times, doing what he loved the most, Mule Deer hunting in the Wallowas every fall. They would take several head of horses and pack in eight miles to French Creek in the Eagle Cap Wilderness area. Those were happy times and were his favorite subjects of conversation throughout his life.

In 1984, Richard and Virginia branched out on their own and started Richard Willis Logging. In the beginning, he had only an Allis-Chalmers HD5 and an old log truck, but he had Virginia by his side, and together they could conquer the world! They retired together in 1998.

In retirement, they immensely enjoyed participating in several of their grandchildren's 4-H and equine events. A profound horseman, he connected with the equines on a special level. He enjoyed sharing with anyone who showed a mutual love for horses. For many years, they hauled horses to a variety of shows and camping expeditions. These were truly their Golden Years and were filled with so much pride and joy! Even in retirement, they could get more done in a day than most. They remained present and influential in the raising of their grandchildren as their hard work persisted in the hayfields and harvesting firewood. Together, they schemed and improved every piece of land they resided on. They developed a beautiful garden area with shade trees and swings, an arena, and horses at their daughter's place. It was the heart of their happiness to share their greatest joys in life with the family they raised together.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia A. (Matthews) Willis, his son, Benjamin L. Willis, his parents, Roy A. Willis and Dorothy W. (Gurney) Willis and his in-laws Arthur and Margaret (Conn) Matthews, his siblings Donita Willis, Ronald Willis, JoAnne Peters, and Bruce Willis, his son-in-law, Richard B. McDonald, his sisters-in-law, Lillian Kenworthy and Elaine Becker, his brothers-in-law Dale Matthews and Ivan Matthews and a great-grandchild who passed at birth, Ellianna Rose Ramirez. He is survived by four of their children, Richard, Jeannette, Cindy, and Charlene, all grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three of his siblings, Peggy Veach, Karen Brint, Debra Williams, and his adopted sister, Nancy Moore. He had many very special relationships with cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Richard was one of the most generous and kind men ever born. He harbored no judgment or ill will. He was a ray of sunshine, beaming with love, for every person he ever met. May he rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord in heaven forever.

Please join his family and friends as he is laid to rest at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Tenmile Community Cemetery.