1927
Willis
2008
Willis H. Ganahl
October 30, 1927 — January 28, 2008
A/D Paid Obit Photo Times Paid Obit
Bill: Susan King
611-4th St. South P.O. Box 126
Cordova, IL 61242 (309) 654-2628
Willis H. Ganahl, 80, of Port Byron, died January 28, 2008 at Trinity Pathway Hospice, Bettendorf, IA.
Memorial services will be 12 p,.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Ave., Moline. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008.
Willis was born October 30, 1927 in Moline to Willis and Mary (Summers) Ganahl. He married Myrle Bock She preceded him in death on January 5, 1981. He married June Hessell from 1982-1988.
Willis graduated from Moline High School in 1946 and joined the U.S. Navy Oct. 4, 1946. He reported in Oct. 1947 and served as an air craft refueler on the USS Coral Sea. He graduated from the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C. in 1948 and served in the First Navy Band in Long Beach, CA, and served in Navy Bands in San Diego, CA until Oct. 3, 1956. He went on to join the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 4, 1956 and reported to Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO to join the Air Force Band. He participated in the Air Force Bands in Iceland and at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.
In 1962, Willis changed careers and became an instructor of Auto Mechanics for the Air Force in Rantoul, IL. He retired as a staff sergeant on Nov. 1, 1966 after 20 years. He brought his family to Port Byron in August of 1966.
After his retirement from the military he taught music at Bowlbys in East Moline. He worked in the service department for Mills Chevrolet, drove the school bus for Riverdale School District, and worked for John Deere. He attended Blackhawk College and received 3 degrees and served as veterans coordinator. Willis was very active in music in the Quad Cities, bands he played in include; Arsenal Band, Bettendorf Park Band, New Horizon CASI Concert Band, CASI Circus Band, Deusche Polka Band, Wind Jammers Jazz Band, Locust Street Boys Jazz Band, Catfish Jazz Society, Blue Chips Band, Maple City Concert Band, Marie and Her Boys, and several country bands.
He is survived by
Children Susan (Jerry) King Cordova, IL
Thomas (Edith) Ganahl Indiana
Timothy (Linda) Ganahl Moline
Paul Ganahl Rapid City
16 grandchildren 9 great grandchildren
Brothers Kenneth Ganahl Missouri
Richard Ganahl Lexington, KY
Many nieces and nephews
Special friend Lois Patch
He was preceded in death by his wife and brothers Paul and John and his son Terry Lee.
Online condolences may be expressed to Willis's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Bill: Susan King
611-4th St. South P.O. Box 126
Cordova, IL 61242 (309) 654-2628
Willis H. Ganahl, 80, of Port Byron, died January 28, 2008 at Trinity Pathway Hospice, Bettendorf, IA.
Memorial services will be 12 p,.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Ave., Moline. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008.
Willis was born October 30, 1927 in Moline to Willis and Mary (Summers) Ganahl. He married Myrle Bock She preceded him in death on January 5, 1981. He married June Hessell from 1982-1988.
Willis graduated from Moline High School in 1946 and joined the U.S. Navy Oct. 4, 1946. He reported in Oct. 1947 and served as an air craft refueler on the USS Coral Sea. He graduated from the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C. in 1948 and served in the First Navy Band in Long Beach, CA, and served in Navy Bands in San Diego, CA until Oct. 3, 1956. He went on to join the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 4, 1956 and reported to Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO to join the Air Force Band. He participated in the Air Force Bands in Iceland and at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.
In 1962, Willis changed careers and became an instructor of Auto Mechanics for the Air Force in Rantoul, IL. He retired as a staff sergeant on Nov. 1, 1966 after 20 years. He brought his family to Port Byron in August of 1966.
After his retirement from the military he taught music at Bowlbys in East Moline. He worked in the service department for Mills Chevrolet, drove the school bus for Riverdale School District, and worked for John Deere. He attended Blackhawk College and received 3 degrees and served as veterans coordinator. Willis was very active in music in the Quad Cities, bands he played in include; Arsenal Band, Bettendorf Park Band, New Horizon CASI Concert Band, CASI Circus Band, Deusche Polka Band, Wind Jammers Jazz Band, Locust Street Boys Jazz Band, Catfish Jazz Society, Blue Chips Band, Maple City Concert Band, Marie and Her Boys, and several country bands.
He is survived by
Children Susan (Jerry) King Cordova, IL
Thomas (Edith) Ganahl Indiana
Timothy (Linda) Ganahl Moline
Paul Ganahl Rapid City
16 grandchildren 9 great grandchildren
Brothers Kenneth Ganahl Missouri
Richard Ganahl Lexington, KY
Many nieces and nephews
Special friend Lois Patch
He was preceded in death by his wife and brothers Paul and John and his son Terry Lee.
Online condolences may be expressed to Willis's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Willis H. Ganahl, please visit our flower store.