Willis L Fairbanks (USMC, Ret), My Dad
08-16-2011, 09:46 AM
#11
Thread Starter
Here is the obituary:
OBITUARY
Willis L. Fairbanks
Willis L. Fairbanks, 95, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), a veteran of World War II and Korea, died August 14, 2011 of natural causes at Capital Caring Hospice in Arlington, Virginia. He was born on a homestead ranch in Buffalo, Montana on May 29, 1916. During his Marine Corps career he held staff and command positions in the Pacific, the Far East, Europe and various locations in the United States. His decorations included two bronze stars, a Navy Unit Citation and various campaign ribbons.
He and his wife of 69 years, the former Nell Ward, settled in McLean, Virginia in 1963 for his final posting at the Pentagon following a tour of duty in Paris, France. After retirement from the Marine Corps in 1966, he was a systems analyst with Computer Concepts in Silver Spring, Maryland and then with Planning Research Corporation in McLean. In 1970, he opened the McLean Clock Shop, and for eight years specialized in the restoration and sale of antique clocks. In 1975, he became a Rotarian and served as club president of the McLean club, and the Tysons club which he founded. He was active in community affairs at the county level and served on the board of the McLean Citizens Association as well as a task force related to the McLean Central Business District.
He is survived by his wife; children Candace Preller (Chuck), Deborah Sola (Vito Menzella) and Gary Fairbanks (Ann); grandchildren Lisa Nicoli (Jeff), Justin Crouch, Cory Fairbanks and Christopher Fairbanks; and great-grandchildren Jordon Nicoli and Tyler Nicoli.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made to Capital Caring (www.capitalcaring.org) or Rotary International (www.rotary.org).
OBITUARY
Willis L. Fairbanks
Willis L. Fairbanks, 95, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), a veteran of World War II and Korea, died August 14, 2011 of natural causes at Capital Caring Hospice in Arlington, Virginia. He was born on a homestead ranch in Buffalo, Montana on May 29, 1916. During his Marine Corps career he held staff and command positions in the Pacific, the Far East, Europe and various locations in the United States. His decorations included two bronze stars, a Navy Unit Citation and various campaign ribbons.
He and his wife of 69 years, the former Nell Ward, settled in McLean, Virginia in 1963 for his final posting at the Pentagon following a tour of duty in Paris, France. After retirement from the Marine Corps in 1966, he was a systems analyst with Computer Concepts in Silver Spring, Maryland and then with Planning Research Corporation in McLean. In 1970, he opened the McLean Clock Shop, and for eight years specialized in the restoration and sale of antique clocks. In 1975, he became a Rotarian and served as club president of the McLean club, and the Tysons club which he founded. He was active in community affairs at the county level and served on the board of the McLean Citizens Association as well as a task force related to the McLean Central Business District.
He is survived by his wife; children Candace Preller (Chuck), Deborah Sola (Vito Menzella) and Gary Fairbanks (Ann); grandchildren Lisa Nicoli (Jeff), Justin Crouch, Cory Fairbanks and Christopher Fairbanks; and great-grandchildren Jordon Nicoli and Tyler Nicoli.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made to Capital Caring (www.capitalcaring.org) or Rotary International (www.rotary.org).
08-16-2011, 10:19 AM
#13
Very nice obit for one of the "Greatest Generation"
Our sympathies. Deb.
Our sympathies. Deb.
08-16-2011, 03:05 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Thanks, Y'all. Yes, my dad was indeed proud of his service and talked about his military experiences fairly often. To answer your question, Lainey, my mom is doing OK, but she has medical issues of her own that stress does not help. There are people staying at the house basically through Sun, so after that I expect she will do better. I'm handling my dad's estate, so that is a big load taken off her shoulders. Gotten quite a bit done the past two days. Just took a fairly long nap!
08-16-2011, 08:09 PM
#20
Deb, very sorry for your loss; he sounds like a true hero!