Willis Rollie Lewis, 84, of Corvallis went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 25th, 2024. He passed at “morning milking time” at his home surrounded by family under Bitterroot Health Hospice Care.
Rollie was born September 16th, 1939 at home up Ambrose Creek in Stevensville, MT. Rollie was the fourth of nine children to Rose Brechbill and Edwin Lewis. Being raised on a farm taught Rollie the importance of a good work ethic that would carry him throughout his life. Rollie attended primary school at Lone Rock Elementary, and later graduated from Stevensville High School in 1957.
Rollie joined the Navy in October of that year, becoming a structural mechanic on airplanes. After a tour overseas, he went back to California to live with his brother Chuck. He spotted a girl across the street and asked her to a movie. Six weeks later, Rollie and Nilda Ruiz married on October 19th, 1962. While in California they had two children; son Kenneth Michael and daughter Jamie Sue.
Knowing they wanted to raise their children around family, they moved back to Montana in 1971. They found a farmhouse in Corvallis and planted their roots. Two more sons, Jeffery Scott and Timothy Rollie, arrived shortly after. Rollie worked construction, building schools for Corvallis, Stevensville, and Florence. Rollie always had a desire to have a dairy, and Mu Juice Dairy became a reality in 1979. He technically retired in 2005 when Jeff took over. Rollie additionally owned Corvallis Storage for over thirty years until his passing.
Rollie was a pillar of the community. He served on boards for Corvallis Schools, Darigold, All West Select Sires, and Corvallis Community Church. He demonstrated consistency, integrity and leadership.
After 52 years of marriage, he lost Nilda on April 11th, 2014. He would later remarry on August 5th, 2016 to Linda Van Fossan. They had a special love and were able to travel together and continue the tradition of Friday night card games of hearts with the Dunbars.
Rollie enjoyed his church family, 2 p.m. coffee at Memories, and giving his two cents on how the farm should be run. He will be remembered for his kind eyes and smile, sarcastic personality, and the way he showed up to support his family.
Rollie is preceded in death by his father Edwin, mother Rose, brothers Chuck, Bob, Phillip, Floyd, and Francis, and wife Nilda. He is survived by his second wife Linda, children Ken (Leisa), Jamie (Steve), Jeff (Jennifer), Tim (Carrie), along with brothers Frank, Johnny, and sister Winifred. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 8th from 5-7 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 9th at 1:00 pm at the Assembly of God church in Hamilton. A family burial service with military honors will follow at the Corvallis Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com
A reception will follow the services at Corvallis Community Church CE Building.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Corvallis Community Church, ℅ Rollie Lewis Memorial.