Obituary of Kimi Kato Wills

Kimi Kato Wills went to heaven on 13 July 2024. Born in Nagoya, Japan, 21 September 1933, she was part of a large Japanese family with one brother and five sisters.

Kimi lived a long, eventful, and blessed life. After growing up during WWII, Kimi met and married a dashing GI (Guy J. Wills, Jr) assigned to Japan, and then moved to the United States in 1956. She quickly refined her English by reading and
watching American television commercials, and then Kimi taught those English skills to other Japanese spouses while gaining her US citizenship. Following her husband through a 32-year USAF career and nine assignments, Kimi worked as a dental hygienist and in the hospitality industry, culminating her career as executive housekeeping manager for the Holiday Inn and Sheraton resort hotels on Okaloosa Island. In 1979, Kimi and Guy settled in Shalimar where they found their church home at Shalimar Baptist, and then moved to Ocean City-Wright (OCW) in 1999. In her later years, Kimi continued to be a family icon by cooking the best fried rice, fried shrimp, and egg rolls in the world, whenever asked and
that was often. She spent countless hours finishing jigsaw puzzles, playing card games, and caring for her beloved Shih Tzus, who honestly might have been her favorites in the family if truth be told!

Kimi is preceded in death by Guy J. Wills Jr (deceased in 2004, CMSgt retired, USAF and former OCW Fire Chief). She leaves behind two sons and their wives (Guy and Judy, Steve and Bonnie), three grandchildren (Katie, Steven, and Cassie), and one great grandchild (Dan) and many extended family members, including those of Reiko, Kyoko and Eiko, her three sisters in Japan.

The Wills Family is so thankful for the loving care rendered by Dr King, Courtney, Ally, and wonderful staff at Emerald Coast Cancer Center during Kimi’s four-year battle with a rare form of anemia. Special thanks also to Gentiva Hospice for their kindness and care during the last few weeks of Kimi’s amazing life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donations to the Northwest Florida State College, Chief Guy J. Wills, Jr Firefighting Scholarship Endowment. Donations may be made online or by check. Online: www.nwfscfoundation.org, hit the “Give Now” button to take you to the online giving form, type in “Wills” in the Designation selection and the “Chief Guy Wills, Jr Firefighter Scholarship Endowment” will appear.  Check: Mailed to NWFSC Foundation, 100 College Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578 with note in memo to Guy Wills Scholarship.

.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kimi Wills, please visit our Tree Store