Willis H. Hartwig, 83 of Longmont, Colorado passed away peacefully with loving family present on March 16, 2021. Willis was born in Walthill, Nebraska on June 30, 1937 to William and Alice (Einemann). Growing up on a farm in Eastern Nebraska taught Willis the value of hard work, family, and friends. He carried these values throughout his life. He graduated from Platte Valley Academy in 1955 and married Marcia (Pape) in 1957. The two eventually settled on a farm near Pender, Nebraska and brought 3 children into the world (Doug, Jolene, and Lisa). In 1965 the yearning for adventure brought the family to Longmont, Colorado, and there they increased the family by two. (Dennis and Dale). The family enjoyed exploring Colorado’s hi-country and Willis developed a passion for four wheeling and recreating in the mountains. In 1971 the family moved just outside of Berthoud, Colorado and there Willis opened an Autobody shop in 1977. He continued to run the shop in Berthoud and then Longmont until 2014.
With great sadness, Marcia passed away in 2008. Willis was blessed to again find Love in the Fall of his life and married Betty Olson in 2011. The two were inseparable and made memorable trips in the Colorado mountains, Alaska, New England, and the Southwest. His added family of stepdaughter Tyree (Randy) Erbstoesser and granddaughter Ashley (Ronnie) Porter shared many loving memories and fun filled adventures over the past ten years.
Willis had a passion for family, four wheeling, old cars, local sports, reading and the Lord Jesus. He was a member of the Longmont Seventh Day Adventist Church. An indication of the richness of his life is how he was loved by everyone he met. Willis was truly a good man. He often fixed cars at no charge and would give the shirt off his back to those in need. Willis had a great sense of humor and passed on his pranking abilities to all his kids.
Willis is survived by his wife of 10 years Betty of Longmont, Sons: Doug (Kristi) of Buckley, WA, Dennis (Laura) of Arvada, CO, Dale (Stacie) of Leeton, MO, and daughters Jolene (Gary) Neff of Jefferson, CO, Lisa (Leslie) Mays of Milliken, CO, stepdaughter Tyree (Randy) Erbstoesser of Longmont, CO, and sister Karolyn Sartin of Ringold, GA. He is also survived by 15 Grandchildren (Alison, Robert, Amy, Brittany, Meggen, Melissa, Ben, Aaron, Tristan, Libby, Abby, Ellie, Shiloh, Tru, Ashley) and 14 Great Grandchildren (Cali, Corbin, Conrad, Samuel, Alma, Esther, Carter, Kenadie, Everly, Hadlee, Lily, Emma, Noah, Nash) as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Willis was preceded in death by his wife Marcia, parents, and brother Kenneth.
