Willis Meyer, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, was born in Hebron, Nebraska on October 7th, 1926, to Richard and Hulda Meyer. He was welcomed into his Heavenly home on February 10th, 2023, at the age of 96.
Willis was raised by his parents on a wheat farm in Deshler, Nebraska, along with his two younger brothers Paul and Vernon Meyer. During his childhood, he lived through several historic experiences including the Dust Bowl, the Stock Market Crash of 1929, and the Great Depression which caused the loss of the family farm when the banks closed. Willis graduated from Deshler High School in 1944. In 1945 the family moved to California to seek better opportunities.
Willis was called to military service in 1945; however WWII was ending, and he was not inducted. He served in the US Army from 1951 to 1956, during the Korean War, and was a Corporal Administrative Assistant to the Adjutant General at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. In 1957, he graduated from National Schools Los Angeles as a Television and Electronics Technician.
In 1945 he met his wife-to-be, Virginia Buelow, at a young adult group at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fresno, California. They began dating eleven years later, after Willis completed his service in the US Army Reserves. He married Virginia on September 4th, 1960, and together they raised two children and enjoyed three grandchildren. He had a long career as the owner of Meyer Television Center, from which he retired at age 74. He continued operating Virginia’s Shaklee business (holistic vitamins and products) after her passing in 2009, and retired from this business in 2020 at the age of 93.
Willis maintained a God centered life. He enjoyed traveling with Virginia, fishing with his brother Vernon, classic cars, spending time with family, and having long conversations with anyone he met.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Hulda Meyer, brothers Paul and Vernon Meyer, wife Virginia Meyer, and granddaughter Jessica Dehmlow.
Willis is survived by his daughter Sharon Dehmlow and husband Josh, son Mark Meyer and wife Belinda, and grandchildren Aaron Dehmlow and Isaak Meyer. He will be missed by countless friends and family members.
A visitation for Willis will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 L Street, Fresno, CA 93721. A graveside service will occur Friday, March 3, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Mt. View Cemetery, 1411 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno, CA 93728. A celebration of life will occur Friday, March 3, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1084 W. Bullard Ave., Fresno, CA 93711.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lislefuneralhome.com for the Meyer family.
