Edward B. Wills

Edward Wills, 73, of Great Falls passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2016 at a local care facility. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Edward Wills was born February 17, 1943 in Great Falls, MT. Ed attended high school in Libby and Great Falls High School. Ed went into the Navy at 17 where he learned his trade as a machinist spending four years on three different ships in several ports. After his military service he reconnected and married his childhood sweetheart Nancy. He spent many years working as a machinist around the Great Falls area and worked for a time at The Anaconda Company. He also worked at J Neal lumber in Libby, and drove taxi for his father at the Black and White Cab Company. He was working at World Wide Press in 1985 when he decided to branch out on his own and started Printers Parts Supply becoming an invaluable resource for printing companies throughout Montana and neighboring states. Ed was an extremely brilliant and talented man who volunteered to share his skills with his community. He worked hard behind the scenes helping Vineyard Mercy Ministries. He did flintknapping demonstrations at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive center. Ed enjoyed rock hounding, gemology, flintknapping, wood carving, and teaching people what hed learned, especially about atlatl. He was a consummate tinkerer. Ed is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Nancy Tadej Wills of Great Falls; daughters Lori Wills, Janette (Doug) Conley, and Carla Wills all of Great Falls; son Dale (Sherrie) Wills of Springfield, VA brothers Mykel Jon (Darlene) Wills of Clinton, MT and Jack Stewart of AK; six amazing grandchildren Lindsey Conley, Demiray Conley, Quincy Szymeczek, Talyna Conley, Todd Wills, and Jaron Wills; seven brothers-in-law; five sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by grandson Deegan Wills; brother Mark Stewart; and his parents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in his name to Vineyard Mercy Ministries or The McLaughlin Research Center.