WILLIS D. MARION, age 96, of Irish Settlement Road, Freeville, NY passed away, Nov. 16, 2014 at the Cayuga Medical Center. Willis was born March 26, 1918 at Solon, NY a son of the late Lester B. and Nita Hall Marion. On April 6, 1940 he was married to the former, Rosalie Elizabeth Rood in Solon, NY. Willis and “Betty” resided in Solon until 1944 when Willis became the farm manager for the Barton-Miller Farm on Irish Settlement Road in the Town f Dryden. Previously he had been employed by the Cortland County Highway Dept. Later, and in retirement, he was employed at Dryden lawn and Recreation and at Marion’s Small Engine Repair which he operated at his residence. Willis was a long time member (since 1946) of The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, and served as a Trustee and Elder. Additionally he was a member of the Farm Bureau, a board member of the Willow Glen Cemetery and the Dryden–Groton Fire Insurance Company. He was also a member of the American Polled Herford Association and the American Corridale Sheep Association. An avid hunter and fishing enthusiast, Willis enjoyed gardening, traveling and many hunting and fishing trips with friends and family.
Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Betty Marion at home; his daughter, Nancy M. Crossen; a granddaughter, Rachel (John) Crossen and her children, Tyler J., Amanda M. and Morgan W. Crossen all of Marshall, VA; his siblings, Ivan Marion of Bradenton, FL, Shirley Dickens of Newfield and Lois Fox of Dryden; a former son-in-law, Steven Crossen; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his infant brother, Lynn Marion and a sister, Irene DeOrsey.
Memorial services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, May 9th at The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden. Burial will be private in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. The family will receive their friends at church after the memorial service. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, are directed to The First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 42, Dryden, NY or the Dryden Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 69, Dryden, NY 13053. Perkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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