https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218582338?searchTerm=ell...
OBITUARY
Mr. James W. Willis
Another link with the early days of
Forbes was severed on Tuesday with
the passing, at the residence ol his
grand-daughter, Mrs. J. Bixt, in Thel-
ma Street, of Mr. James Wells Willis,
aged 86, who lived around Forbes in
the days when his father had a brick-
works abutting on Junction Street, in
front of the present home of Mr.
Ernie Helman. The deceased lived
here till the early members of his
family were reared and then departed
for the city 40 or 50 years ago, return-
ing at different intervals till about five
or six years ago, when he came back
to spend the evening of his days in
his old home town. He was a native
of Inglewood (Vic.), and came to
Forbes as a lad with his parents just
after the gold rush had subsided.
He was in good health till shortly be-
fore his death, and was actually mov-
ing around on the day of his demise.
The late Mr. Willis' wife, who was
Miss Ellen Clegg, a Forbes native, pre-
deceased him 24 years ago at Punch-
bowl, but he leaves to mourn their
loss four sons — Bert Wells (Campsie),
Ernest Wells (Marrickville), Joseph
(Geelong, Vic.), and James Daniel
(Punchbowl)— and one daughter, Mrs.
J. McDermott (Hurstville). One son
(Arthur James) and one daughter
(Nellie) are deceased.
Mr. Willis was a member of a fam-
ily who was noted for their longevity.
His mother and father lived till 87
and 85 years respectively, his brother,
Joseph (Forbes) till 82, and George
till 89, and his sisters, Mrs. Slattery
and Mrs. Reynolds, till 91 and 78 years
respectively. There was another bro-
ther, William, who was killed by a
fall of earth at an Auburn brick-
works.
The deceased was married at Forbes
according to the rite of the Church
of England, and his funeral on Wed-
nesday afternoon was to that portion
of the local cemetery, Rev. K. Doust
(Methodist), in the absence of the
Rev. A. E. White (Rector) and Padre
Harry Thorpe reading the last sad
rites at the graveside.
Mr. A. G. Jones had charge of the
funeral arrangements.
