Willis R Black

Willis R. "Pete" Black, 82, Halstad, died Saturday, January 8, 2000 at Halstead Hospital. He was born December 5, 1917 at Truscott, Texas, son of John Calfvin and Lillie Belle Hutton Black. A Halstead resident since 1979, he was an agricultural seed Salesman for Pioneer Seed, Funks Seed and Occidental, before retiring.

He was a member of First Chrtistian Church, Burrton and Ruth Wilson American Legion Post 231, Halstead. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving during World War II.

On June 5, 1943 he married Alma Lee Burkett at Grand Rapids, Michigan. She died June 8, 1989. On March 9, 1991, he married Marlene Katherine Rau at Halstead. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include five sons; John Black, Salina; Dan Lorson, St. Simmons Island, Geeorgia; Joe Lorson, Austin, Texas; John Lorson, Hilliard, Ohio; and Tom Lorson, Indianapolis, Indiana; six daughters, Willisa Ensz, Hutchinson; Debbie Pientka, Assaria; Deanna Rowland, Flower Mound, Texas; Susan Hemphill, Smolan; Veronica Fowler, Ames, Iowa and Mary Vergenes, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; sister, Mildred Cook, Munday, Texas; 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Services were Tuesday, Janury 11 at First Christian Church, Burrton, with the Rev. Robert Walter presiding. Burial was in Halstead Cemetery, Halstead.