Willis Gerald Rexford

Our father and friend, Willis Rexford, 91, passed away peacefully after a very brief illness on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Willis was born in a farmhouse near Hysham on August 25th, 1933, to Ralph and Loretta Rexford, spending his childhood on their family farm in Pease Bottom, attending the Rancher School in Myers and then completing his education at the Hysham School where he graduated in 1951. He fell in love and married Sharon Manning in 1953, bringing five children into this world.

Willis's career path was very long and lengthy, working diligently until a week before he passed. While in Hysham, he sold cars and equipment for Taylor Motor Mart and was instrumental and proud to have installed the first telephone lines to the Sarpy Creek area. He and his brother-in-law, Ron Manning, then purchased dump trucks and mobile homes, where they traveled around the state doing construction work with their small families in tow. He then returned to Hysham and worked at Zent Hardware and eventually Manning International as the parts manager for 30 years. He knew most of the part numbers by heart and strived to get the area farmers back to work quickly by having parts available.

In 1985, Willis and Sharon relocated to Billings, MT where he began his next career which he truly enjoyed - detailing cars inside and out. For the next 40 years, he made people smile as he delivered sparkling, clean vehicles to his multiple customers. He was a stickler for perfection in his details. For 10 years he was able to combine his two passions into one - buying, detailing and selling used vehicles. In total he re-purposed 236 cars.

In his spare time, Willis and Sharon loved dancing and having poker parties with other couples who were great friends. In later years Willis could be found playing cards with his poker group or having coffee with casino friends.

Willis will be remembered for his moderate lifestyle while being very generous to others in need. He loved playing cards with anyone and any time, but we always had to chuckle with his consistent inability to accept some of the losing hands he was dealt!

Willis leaves behind his children - three daughters, Shari (Del) Warren, Reagan (Dan) Litzsinger, Shannon Green, and one son, Tracy Rexford along with 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife of 64 years, Sharon Rexford, parents Ralph and Loretta Rexford, brother Donald Rexford, sister Mary Serve, son Ryan Rexford, son-in-law Jim Green, daughter-in-law Barbara Rexford, and grandson Robert Rexford.

Willis will be missed by his remaining children and many friends. He believed in the presence of his Lord and Savior in his life and was looking forward to seeing all of his loved ones in their "Eternal Home". He will definitely be "Spiff N Up" Heaven's gate.

We would like to thank all of the family members and friends who visited, cared for and prayed for our Father including Riverstone Health Hospice. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the organization or charity of your choice

Final funeral services are pending at this time.