Willis Melgren, 87, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Thursday morning, November 17th, in his home. He was born February 22, 1929, in Lyon County Kansas, the son of Harry and Selma Fager Melgren. He married Nadine Dykman on August 10, 1957. They were privileged to share more than 59 years together.

As a young farm boy in Kansas, Willis had an ambition "to travel and see the world." He managed to see much of it during his lifetime. He also was interested in science and as a boy had a makeshift lab in his basement where he built crystal and battery operated radio sets. Willis was valedictorian of his high school class in Osage City, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University where he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduation from K State, he was commissioned into the Air Force where he became 1st Lieutenant. Willis' Air Force career began with a year studying meteorology at the University of Chicago, and his various weather assignments included Omaha, Nebraska, Newfoundland, T3, Greenland, Lincoln Nebraska, Ft. Worth, Texas, Nassau, and French Morocco Africa outside of Casa Blanca. Willis considered the highlight of his Air Force career the time he spent as commander of a small crew near the North Pole, Ice Island T3. They left the island in May on 1954 and joined an elite group of probably less than a hundred who had ever spent that much time so far north. After his discharge, Willis spent the summer hiking and camping in the Sierras and Yosemite, Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks. He then taught chemistry at Kansas State for a year before beginning a 35-year career as a chemical engineer and laboratory manager for the Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroads at the testing laboratory in Springfield, MO until he retired in 1991.

He and Nadine enjoyed camping trips with their children visiting most of the continental US and after retirement, traveling both in the states and abroad. He enjoyed gardening, K State football, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, MSU Bears and attending his grandchildren's activities.

Willis lived a life of service and was a passionate volunteer – driving a van taking seniors to volunteer jobs, leading several Habitat for Humanity home builds, and working with the Boy Scouts. He was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir, served on church council, and taught Sunday school. Some of his honors and awards include the Gift of Time Award, the Boy Scout LAMB award, and the 2001 Fraternalist of the year from Aid Association for Lutherans.

Willis was a man of faith, and those who knew and loved him would agree that he was an exceptional person. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered for his kindness, gentleness, selflessness and his ability to see the good in every person and every situation. Always humble, he lead by example and his life is his testimony.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Homer and sister Harriet. He is survived by his wife Nadine, children William and Alex, Susan and Tim McGinnis, Lisa and Danny Tillman, Paul and Tara, and Eric and Beth, 13 grandchildren, sister-in-law Betty Melgren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 26th from 1:00-2:45 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 925 East Seminole, with a Life Celebration following at 3:00. His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Messiah Lutheran building fund or Habitat for Humanity.