August 28, 1923 – Thursday, February 25, 2016

Service Information
The Peterson Chapel – St. Michael, MN
Saturday, March 5, 2016
11:00 a.m.

Visitation Information
The Peterson Chapel – St. Michael, MN
Saturday, march 5, 2016
one hour prior to service

Willis Fred Heins, age 92 of San Diego, CA died February 25, 2016. Willis was born in Pine Island MN to George & Esther Heins on August 28, 1923. He worked as a draftsman for Northwest Airlines, where he met his wife, then he became a design engineer at FMC, Northern Ordinance for 35 years in Fridley MN. He also worked for the State Council Knights of Columbus in MN. When he moved to Poway CA in 1988 he joined San Rafael Catholic Church and became a member of the Men’s Club, holding the office of treasurer for many years. He enjoyed traveling, camping, carpentry and doing handyman projects for many people until his arthritis prevented him from continuing. His sense of humor was always with him. When told to “Have a good day” he would respond, “Don’t tell me what to do!” with a deadpan expression. He loved making people laugh and not take themselves too seriously. He sewed, cooked and loved fixing anything. There wasn’t an electrical, plumbing or woodworking project he couldn’t do. In his spare time he built 3 houses in MN. After his hip surgery he was told to exercise by walking everyday. He accomplished this by walking in the water at the YMCA pool 6 days/week for 8 years (Sunday he attended 7:30am mass.) He enjoyed his YMCA “family” and only missed if he was recovering from illness. He was blessed with kind neighbors and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leanore (August 13, 1990.) and son, Leslie Willis (August 13, 2012)
He is survived by his daughter, Karen Barthel; daughter-in-law, Carol Heins; brother, Roger. Six grandchildren, Brian (Namie), Jane Cole (Ryan), Anthony Barthel (Krista), Jessica Jackson (Bryan), Jackie Barthel, Eric Barthel and great-grandchildren Ethan, Erin, Calvin, Hannah, Caleb, Ella, Peyton, Brody and Harper; also other relatives and friends
Funeral service for Willis will be held Saturday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service all at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael.
Interment to follow at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.