Ruth Willis

Ruth Ramsay Willis, 90, of Columbus, OH, formerly of Cadiz, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Sterling House in Westerville. She was born February 11, 1923 in Amsterdam, OH, a daughter of the late John Ramsay, Sr. and Mabel Campbell Ramsay. The family moved to Cadiz in 1928 with Ruth graduating from Cadiz High School in 1941. In 1947 she would meet and marry Blythe Willis, a native of Winslow, IN., while attending the First Church of God in Cadiz. A church founded by her grandfather, William C. Ramsay. They would settle in Cadiz for a short while before moving to a small farm outside of town. Seven sons would be born to their union prior to Blythe's untimely death in a coal mining accident. The sons ranged in age from 10 months to 10 years at the time. Ruth was able to raise their sons to adulthood with the loving assistance of her parents. They helped to keep the family together while she went to work as the Registrar for the Harrison County Health Department. A job she would hold for 25 years until retirement in 1990. Ruth's mother suffered a debilitating stroke in 1980. Ruth continued to work while caring for her invalid mother for the next 8 years. Upon retirement, she moved to New Philadelphia, Ohio to be nearer several of her sons. She eventually moved to Upper Arlington, Ohio in 1997 and suffered serious injuries in 1998 after being struck by a car while walking near her home. Ruth would recover from these injuries, in spite of being 75 at the time, to lead an active life until she entered assisted living in 2006. Ruth was a gentle caring person, who persevered in spite of the many challenges her long life encountered and was an inspiration to all of her family. Ruth loved to play the piano and organ from an early age. She played both instruments at various times for her church. She also loved to read, travel, shop and listen to music. She was a fastidious housekeeper who was always impeccably dressed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Blythe Willis in 1960, and by a grandson, Kevin Willis and a step-grandson, Wesley Porter. Surviving are seven sons, Gary (Debbie) Willis of Westerville, Rick Willis of Columbus, Jim (Suzy) Willis, John (Robin) Willis, Mark (Debbie) Willis, all of New Philadelphia, Greg (Lisa) Willis of Strasburg, and Bill Willis of Columbus; fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; a brother John Dale (Martha) Ramsay of Lerona, WV and a sister, Irene (Don) Schrader of Anderson, IN. Friends may call Saturday, April, 20 from 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, 172 S. Main St., Cadiz, OH. Burial will follow at Cadiz Union Cemetery. The family would like to express their appreciation for the care provided by Sterling House and Odyssey Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Kevin's Scholarship Fund, C/O Strasburg Savings Bank, P.O. Box 107, Strasburg, OH. 44680. Online condolences may be made at www.clark-kirkland.com.

Service

Saturday, April 20, 2013 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Inc.
172 South Main Street Cadiz 4390, United States

Service

Saturday, April 20, 2013 1:00 PM
Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Inc.
172 South Main Street Cadiz 4390, United States