Francis A. Wills

Francis A. Wills, age 92, of Iron River, MI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Howard Young Medical Center, Woodruff, WI. He was born on April 4, 1930, in Negaunee, MI, the son of the late Leslie and Gladys (Hocking) Wills. In November of 1947 he joined the United States Navy serving in the Korean war. He received his honorary discharge in March 1952. On April 11, 1953, he married Shirley Boase at the United Methodist Church in Ishpeming, Michigan. The couple would have celebrated their 70th anniversary this coming April. After working in the iron ore mines in Marquette County for 20 years of his life, he attended Northern Michigan University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science. After receiving his degree, he began his career as City Manager in Litchfield, MI. He eventually became City Manager of Stambaugh, MI, Ishpeming MI, and his final position in Iron River, MI before his retirement. He was heavily involved in city and county politics over his lifetime. He served on the Negaunee City Council and was elected Negaunee City Mayor. Once he settled in Iron County, he was elected to the West Iron County Board of Education and was also elected to the Iron County Commission Board. He would always make his decisions based on what the people who voted him into office preferred. He would always be their voice in decision making. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1603 and a member of The American Legion Reino Post #21. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing men’s softball and was an avid reader. Francis is survived by his wife, Shirley and their six children, daughter, Frances (Mike Vogt) Wills of Okeana, OH and grandchildren Michael (Cindy) Haeflinger, Bradley (Aries) Haeflinger and Nathan (April) Haeflinger; son, Steven (Liz) Wills of Negaunee, MI and grandchildren Adam (Shelley) Wills, Rory (Holly Wallace) Wills, Katie (Josh) Anttonen and Kyle (Olivia) Wills; son, Brian Wills of Caspian, MI and grandchildren Jaime (Duane) Fritz, Trista (Sam) Weitzel and Brittany Wills; daughter, Lori (Dan) Norman of Silver Cliff, WI and grandchildren Whitney Norman, Heather Norman and step-grandchildren Becky Sutton and Bobby (Dana) Norman; daughter, Carrie Wills of Iron River, MI and grandchildren Chelsey Aho, Sarah Aho and Emily Aho; son, Donald (Renee) Wills of Ashwaubenon, WI and grandchildren Morgan Wills and Nolan Wills. He is also survived by 27 great grandchildren and two more on the way in 2023; his sister, Veronica Donaldson of Detroit, MI; his sister-in-law, Mary Moore of Ishpeming, MI; along with numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leslie Wills and Richard Wills and his sisters, Kathryn DeGabriele and Ernestine Kennedy. Private family graveside services will be held in the spring. Interment will be in the Stambaugh Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis A. Wills, please visit our flower store.