Stephen Aubrey Willis (75) of Rio Dell joined his wife, Linda, in Heaven on December 24th, 2021.

Steve was born in Utica, New York on March 22, 1946. He attended Placer High School, Sierra College, Bethany Bible College (Where he met Linda, his wife of 52 years) and College of the Redwoods. Steve was an avid hunter, marble and insulator collector, outdoor enthusiast, and a Giants/49ers fan. Steve lived an extremely active lifestyle until his accident in 2016 when he received a traumatic brain injury and required 24/7 care. His wife was his main caregiver until she passed away in 2020. After her passing his children and family cared for him. The family would also like to thank his caregivers through PACE and Elite.

Steve worked at Pacific Lumber Company for over 30 years until he retired in 2003. He was actively involved in many churches over the years including Calvary Christian Center and Woodstreet Chapel in Fortuna and most recently Rio Dell Baptist Church.

Steve is survived by daughter Stephanie (Matt) son Jason (Sondra), daughter De Ann (Jared). Grandchildren: Travis (Rachael), Shalynn, Zeb, Arianna (Stan), Austin, Bradley, Donald, Baylee, Alexander, and Chloe. Great grandchildren: Lily, Ezra, and Selah. He is also survived by his brother Philip Willis (Kathy), in-laws, and numerous other family members. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Marie Willis, his parents Charlotte and Aubrey Willis, his sister Joanna Zimmerly and many other loved ones.Flowers can be sent to Gobles Mortuary in Fortuna or saved for the celebration of life ceremony.

This summer the family is planning an outside gathering (TBD) to celebrate the lives of both Linda Marie Willis and Stephen Aubrey Willis. Contact their children for future updates.

“God saw him getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around him and whispered “Come to me.” With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him slowly fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands put to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.”