Merwin R. Willis Merwin (Mer) Willis passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Mer was born on December 7, 1929 in Iowa County, Wisconsin to Carl and Ruby Willis, where he lived until he graduated from Ithaca High School in 1948. After graduation, he joined the Air Force, serving most of his time in Alaska studying to be a dental technician. He married his high school sweetheart, Hope Bateson, and together they moved to Tacoma, finally settling in Federal Way, where Mer opened his own barber shop. Mer retired in 2006 and moved to Ellensburg, WA, to be near their son, Scott. Hope passed away in 2006 after a short illness. Mer met Shirley Shores, whom he married in 2008, and moved to Puyallup, WA. Mer loved to square dance, which he did weekly until his death. Mer is survived by his son Scott, daughter-in-law Marlo, and grandchildren Ryland and Taylor. He will be missed. A memorial service will be held at Hill Funeral Home, 217 E Pioneer in Puyallup, on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 1:00pm.