Willis Moody SO1 (1951-1952)

Willis passed away in October 2017 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  He reported aboard the USS Spangler DE-696 as a Sonarman 1st Class on June 7, 1951 and served through much of 1952, working during this period at some point with shipmates: Bob Ellis, Al Brenner, Dave Norris, A. J. Goers, Bill Ross, Charles Burger, Sam Deville, Howard Moebus, Hildren Rogers, and Ralph Beebe.  He had earlier enlisted in the Navy in 1946, but then was recalled back into service in 1951.

Willis and his lovely wife, Melba (Micky), were married in 1948 in Lebanon, Oregon. They had three sons: Alan, Mike and Scott, including 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

His obituary published in the Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press notes that Willis "was born March 15, 1929, in Independence, Oregon. He attended various Oregon grade schools as the family followed his father who was employed in Oregon’s logging industry.   He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1946."

It also noted that "In 1964 he went to work for the American Plywood Association until his retirement in 1991.  He was an avid ham radio operator and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping."