Howard Willson
Sept. 1, 1924 - Oct. 3, 2018
Resident of Eureka

Howard Willson, loving husband, father and brother, passed away peacefully on Oct. 3 in the home he shared with his wife, Lois. He was 94 years old.

Howard’s parents immigrated from England to Calgary, Alberta where Howard and his twin sister Joan were born. After their first brutal winter, the family resettled in Vancouver, Canada where their mother gave birth to brother Ted. The three siblings avidly participated in team swimming, though Howard’s swimming career was curtailed when he joined the Canadian Navy in the midst of WWll. His experience as a meat cutter led to a job as a cook in the navy.

On his return home after the war, Howard married Mildred Holdgate. When their two children were of school age, the family relocated to San Lorenzo in the San Francisco Bay Area. But Howard was devoted to his siblings and relatives and every summer would pack his family into their Mercury station wagon for a journey up Highway 99, at the time a two-lane road, camping along the way in a large canvas tent with meals prepared on a portable stove. Howard loved radio plays and they were the soundtrack of the pilgrimages in the summer heat on the way to Vancouver. His cousin’s ranch near Mount Shasta in Weed, California, the home of relatives in Eugene, Oregon and an uncle’s home in Seattle, Washington would provide a respite during those long trips. Howard and Lois would in later days replicate this and other trips in their motor home, though these journeys had the added comfort of airconditioning; and likely the familiar radio-play soundtracks.

Howard and Mildred separated in the mid-1960s. He and Lois married in 1966. Lois’ five children from a previous marriage contributed to a large and diverse family with children of varied ages. Howard’s love of swimming was rekindled as he mentored the youngest, Ray and Heidi, in the sport. He was generous and supportive of others outside the family as well, including his daughter’s boyfriend at the time, Pat, whose specialty repairing Corvettes was encouraged in varied ways by Howard. And he helped his cousin’s son David with his organic meat packing business in Canada.

Howard and Lois left the Bay Area for the less hectic town of Eureka. Here he became a parishioner at the United Congregational Church and he devoted his time to maintaining the church property, bingo and the annual Eureka Jazz Festival.

Howard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lois, his brother Ted, his son David and daughter Barbara, step-children Heidi, Ray, John, Delle, Wayne and many grand children and greatgrand children.

Howard will be fondly remembered by those who knew him.

A memorial of his life will take place at the United Congregational Christian Church at 900 Hodgson St, Eureka on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 12 p.m. Please join us.

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