Willis Brands

September 14, 1924 - June 4, 2018

Obituary Willis N. Brands, 93, of Beecher passed away Monday June 4, 2018 at Franciscian Olympia Fields hospital. Willis was born September 14, 1924 in Beecher, Il to Willam H. and Lillie H. Claus Brands. He was Baptized at St John Lutheran Church in Beecher. Willis was confirmed April 10, 1938 at St John. He Married Barbara Gosch on May 22, 1948 at St Paul Lutheran Ev Lutheran in Melrose Park, IL. He is survived by 3 children, Cynthia Hamilton of Plainfield, William  (Laurie) of Sedona, AZ, and John Brands of Beecher. Willis worked with his father as a farmer until 1951; was a partner in Beecher Brickcrete from 1949 - 1970, worked for Washington Twp. From 1970-1972; and Crete/Monee School Dist. as a custodian from 1972-1984. He retired in 1984 because of poor health. He dealt with cancer since 1985 and a stroke in 2005. He served and held many positions at St. John Lutheran Church Eagle Lake as well as Central Lutheran School in his younger years as a trustee, on finance, on the school board when he joined Zion Beecher as Central Lutheran School. He also did all the photo/graphic work for the church’s centennial book in 1954.Willis was preceded In death by his parents, parents in law, and his son in law James Hamilton. Visitation will be held Friday June 8, 2018 from 10-11 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Joel Dietrich will officiate. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery. To send flowers to Willis' family, please visit our floral section.