Carolyn June Willis

Carolyn June Willis, 85, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Calvary Fellowship Homes, Lancaster, PA. She was born in Arlington, VT, the daughter of the late James Thornton Willis and the late Ruby Virginia (Bentley) Willis. Carolyn graduated from Pittsfield High School and Berkshire Music School, Pittsfield, MA. She received a Bachelor of Music from the prestigious Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY, a graduate certificate from Multnomah Bible College, Portland, OR, and a Master of Music from University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA. Carolyn joined the China Inland Mission (OMF International) in 1958. She sailed to Singapore in March 1959 for language study and to begin her Christian ministry in Japan including church planting in Hokkaido and college student evangelism at University of Hokkaido, Hokkaido Bible Institute and Hokkaido Missionary Fellowship. Carolyn was seconded to Kirisutosha Gakusei Kai (KGK) for college student evangelism in Tokyo and Nagoya for 20 years. In recognition of her pioneering and expanding college student groups, International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) brought Carolyn back to Japan to join in celebrating their 50 year anniversary. Following her Master of Music Degree, Carolyn helped develop an OMF hymn book. She was recognized for contributing organ teaching, choir work and music in her Christian ministry. Carolyn retired from OMF in 1987 and moved to Lammermuir House and to Calvary Fellowship Homes in Lancaster. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Jon Stephen Willis. She is survived by her sisters and brother, Constance Mary (Willis) Rutter, James Richard Willis and Sara Lee (Willis) Powell, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Calvary Fellowship Homes and to Caring Hospice for their compassionate care. Friends are invited to attend a reception and Memorial Service on Saturday, July 13, 2012, at Fellowship Hall, Calvary Fellowship Homes, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster, PA. Friends can greet the family from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; the Memorial Service will be at 10:00 a.m.; Pastor Kevin Brown will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Carolyn’s name may be made to the OMF Lammermuir Fund (supporting retired missionaries), OMF International, 10 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120.