Clif Willis Obituary

Sunday Brunches - A great way to start a new week! Now we'll celebrate new beginnings for all of us at future brunches with Clif, always in our hearts, joining us wherever we meet. We will always miss him, but we will never forget him - "America's Greatest Character Actor!"

Carol -

I am saddened by the news of my friend Clif whom I knew from the Men's B&B group at First Congregational Church (Thursday mornings). Clif had a great spirit. In recent months, he wasn't as vocal as he had been in prior years. But that was alright.

No one in the group had a Thursday morning entrance like Clif's. I will always remember his presenting the video clips of his acting days (including Hutch). Not to mention his predictable request for butter.

Photo from 9 Oct 2008.

Am sorry to hear about your lost.. He sounds like a really great man and he will be missed very much! He has gone to a better place where there is no pain or sadness anymore. And yet, one day we will all be in that very place he is.. And he will be there waiting for all of you with open arm.. Again am very sorry.. -hugs-

Clif you were a spectacular human being and such a positive and loving soul. My fondest memories of you are just always listening to your stories about your life and the interesting things you have done.. and your advice on "POSITIVE THINKING"(the most important thing a person can do)
You helped inspire both Mario and I to always be open to new possibilities, live life to the fullest and ALWAYS drink good scotch.
Every time I walk up the front porch, I will remember you there.. smoking a cigar with a scotch in one hand and peanuts to feed the squirrels in the other.
We will miss you friend....... ;)

I remember swimming with my Uncle Clif at a swimming hole named Long’s Quarry in Lima, Ohio, when I was much younger. I was probably 9 or 10, so that was over 50 years ago. The Quarry water was ice cold and crystal clear. Clif took a quarter and told me it was mine if I could swim to the bottom and pick it up. Then he tossed it in. The problem was the bottom was probably 35 - 40 feet down. I tried, but was unable. Clif dove down and brought it up. He gave me the quarter anyway and told me to work on holding my breath so I could someday reach the bottom. I took his challenge to heart and practiced in the bath tub until I was able to hold breath for over 3 minutes. I never had the opportunity to swim with Clif again but I did return to Long’s Quarry, and I was able to easily reach the bottom. Clif’s challenge also helped me to discover one of the loves of my life, SCUBA diving.
Well, so long, my incredibly handsome Uncle Clif, or as my son has always called you – “Great”. You will be missed. Perhaps we will again swim together someday, somewhere. Til then, sleep well.

Clif was my next-door neighbor for 10 years. I was very young then -- his daughters, Terri and Roni, were my friends -- but he always made me laugh, a good skill to have. I loved his radio-TV nickname, "The Little Monster." I remember him once dying his hair green for St. Patrick's Day. A lot of people thought he was crazy but I thought it was a hoot. And on the air he'd always refer to a little town a few miles north of Lima as "Beaverdarn" instead of "Beaverdam." I haven't seen him since he moved about 45 years ago and only recently after several decades reconnected with Terri and Roni on Facebook -- I didn't know he had only one 'f' in his name until then -- but I'll always remember his grace and his sense of humor. It had a profound impact on the little boy next door. A nice man.

The departure of this special man is a loss beyond measure. There are simply no words to define the depth of his character, the kindness of his heart, and the many talents he displayed throughout his amazing life. He was so ageless to me (& everyone who knew him) that his passing came as a huge shock. How priviledged I was to have had such a unique, wonderful friend. Oh, how he will be missed~ Carol, you are in my thoughts, as are rest of Clifs loved ones. I am left with many cherished memories. For that I am grateful.

Many childhood memories of my mom laughing at his antics on radio and television with Easter Straker. We all remember the green hair, too.