March 18, 1938 - January 23, 2021
Our loving dad, brother, nephew, and grandpa Red, left us peacefully on January 23, 2021, in Burns Lake with family by his side. Red was born in Avoca New York on March 18, 1938, to Lyman and Emma Willis. He left New York to do two terms in the army, in Germany and Washington State.
At the age of 25 while stationed in Washington, he met and fell in love with his soul mate Shirley and her four children, Chuck, Mickey, Jim and Kelli. After getting married in 1964 they had two more daughters, Kerri and Kristi.
They wanted a better life for their children, so they moved to Burns Lake and bought a ranch on Antilla Road in 1972. The family worked together to raise cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and chickens. They also operated a mill, cutting railroad ties and car decking. Red and Shirley also enjoyed their time running Beaver Point Resort, on Tchesinkut Lake.
Red later bought and ran a logging truck where he enjoyed "that big truck with all them gears".
They then moved to Chilliwack where they owned West Side Market and A1 grocery/ESSO & garage. He loved repairing vehicles for people in the community.
He was driving long hauls into the States and around Canada. He went back to hauling logs locally which allowed him to spend more time with his love, Shirley. He was also a proud member of the Army Navy & Airforce Veterans Club Unit 305.
Red and Shirley retired to Crystal Road in Burns Lake to be closer to family and where Red took care of Shirley for nine years after she had a stroke. He really enjoyed his coffee time with his picturesque views of the lake, mountains, wildlife, air shows, trains, and Highway 16.
Many of his skills were self taught and he always had an amazing ready smile and cheerful personality that would brighten anyone's day. He loved camping, fishing, firepit roasts, playing cards, singing, dancing and spending time with his family, friends and his dog Tippy.
Red is lovingly remembered by his aunt Betty, his siblings, Roger, Myra, Fred, Charles, and Emmagene, his children, Chuck Paquette, Mickey (Mark) Dixon, Jim (Janet) Paquette, Kelli (Kevin) Payne, Kerri (Dan) Martens, and Kristi Willis, his grandchildren, Thomas, Travis, Tristin, Sheelah, and Greg Paquette, Dennis and Theresa(Niven) Remanda, Nicole(Unwin) and Jason Dixon, Josh and Jeremy Perry, Kaci and Jesse Martens, and Kelci Willis, his 25 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren as well as many others that loved him dearly.
There will be a celebration of life held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the women's auxiliary in Burns Lake who does amazing work in the community including a lot of work with seniors which Red appreciated immensely.
The silence of a falling star, lights up a purple sky, and as I wonder where you are, i'm so lonesome I could cry - Hank Williams
Knowing that you are dancing with mom again lightens our hearts.