once again at Wichita University. He
graduated in 1956 with a degree in geology.
His interest in geology, and the decision to
pursue this field, after he returned from the
service, was derived in part from an asso-
ciation with an uncle who was an operator
in eastern Kansas, and the fact that Willis
liked working outdoors. Some of his class-
mates at WSU were: Neil Sikes, Harvey,
Gough J. C. Musgrove, Harold Steincamp,
Bill Hamm, Gordon Keen, and H. J.
Groves. During his years at WSU, Willis
feels that he received good instruction and
the opportunity to learn from Drs. Ver
Wiebe, Tasch, and Berg.
have three children: Douglas , a consultant
in corporate communications in St. Louis;
Mindy, a pharmacist in Albuquerque; and
Carrie who is a social worker at Wesley
Hospital. Elaine and Willis also have 6
grandchildren , all boys.
with their family in Cuchara, Colorado.
Cuchara is an area where Willis likes to go
each summer to pursue his favorite recrea-
tional interest, fishing.
from 1958 to 1979 he taught school. A
good friend, Tom Wright, persuaded Willis
to return to exploration, and helped him de-
velop his well-sitting skills.
the present. From 1985 until 1995 he
worked for Ray Goodin and credits Ray for
giving him invaluable insights into both the
exploration and operation parts of the oil
22 year "hiatus" from the profession and in-
dustry to teach school, but nevertheless he
has been an active explorationist both be-
fore and after this period
ther was an agent- telegrapher for the rail-
road and his mother was a homemaker.
Willis had an older brother, Kenneth, and an
older sister, Betty, both now deceased.
when the family moved to Kiowa, Kansas.
Willis graduated from Kiowa High School
in 1947.
the Korean War. He worked in Personnel
while in the Air Force, and was stationed in
Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee.