Willa Marie Wilson Johns, 82

Willa Marie Wilson Johns passed away peacefully on July 22, 2017, with her family at her side, at her home in Spokane Valley, Washington.

Willa Marie’s life journey began on Aug. 7, 1935, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was born to Harold “Curly” G. Wilson and Wilda May O’Neil. They relocated to the Flathead Valley to be near family when her father was called to action during World War II.

Willa attended schools in Kalispell, Olney and Whitefish. She graduated from Flathead County High School in 1953. She graduated from the University of Washington and received her master’s from Gonzaga University.

Willa touched more lives than we know through her career in social welfare. She began her career with Lutheran Social Services by opening her home to foster children. Following that, she was director of Hospice of Spokane. She finished her career as executive director of the Arc of Spokane. She was passionate about the care and treatment of people with special needs. She established numerous group homes and facilities that allowed people with special needs to live independent productive lives. She retired after serving the Arc of Spokane for 22 years.

She enjoyed gardening, weekends at her Mount Spokane condo and time with her family, which included her faithful dog, Maggie.

Willa Marie was preceded in death by her firstborn daughter Julie, her parents, and her brother Douglas.

She was blessed with a large, loving family. Survivors include her sister, Bobbie Truckner, and brother-in-law, Bob O’Neil; her children, Alison Johns Clark, Mark (Starlene) Johns, Kyle (Natasha) Johns, and Amy (Brian) Elliott; and grandchildren, MaryBeth (Kyle) Bryant, Krystle (Tony) Robinson, Ashley Johns, Myles and Richie Johns, Gryphon and Phoenix Elliott. Willa Marie was also blessed with three great-grandchildren. They include MaryBeth’s son Sullivan, and Krystle’s sons Aiden and Ray. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Unity Spiritual Service Center in Spokane at 29th and Bernard.

In lieu of flowers, please acknowledge Willa’s life in a way that will carry on her devotion to helping others. Donations can be made to Hospice of Spokane, Spokane Guilds’ School, or the Arc of Washington.