James E. "Jim" Willits, 79, of Mapleton, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2020. Services will be held 11:00 am on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Lawton Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at the Cemetery in Climbing Hill. Visitation will be held from 4-8pm with prayer service at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Waterbury Funeral Home of Sioux City.

Jim was born on August 10, 1940 in Aledo, Illinois to Tom and Iris (Honeyman) Willits. In 1958, he graduated from East High School in Sioux City. He joined the United States Air Force from 1958-1963. In the Air Force, he served as an aircraft mechanic while doing a four year tour in Frankfurt, Germany. Upon return, he attended Morningside College, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Education and German Studies.

In 1962, Jim married Leola Swanger. To this Union three children were born. After living in Germany for a year, they returned to Sioux City before moving to Bronson, Iowa to raise their family. They later divorced. Jim was an avid reader of western novels, enjoyed family trips, fishing, collecting knives and the love of his family dogs. Also, very important to him was that his children knew how to change a tire and check the oil on the cars they drove.

Jim worked in sales at National Chemsearch and later at Lawson Products for many years before retiring in 2006. Jim was a member of Lawton Presbyterian Church and served as an elder. He also belonged to the American Legion Post 576. In retirement, Jim settled in Mapleton, Iowa.

Those left to honor his memory are his children, Terry (Bob) Buckley of Omaha and Christine (Darrell) Trujillo of Phoenix, Jim (Meredyth) Willits of Chicago; brother, Steve (KeeAnn) Mulfinger of Hornick; sister, Jana Meece of Aledo, IL; longtime companion, Michelle O'Connell of Mapleton; and grandchildren, Colin, Allison, Abby, Alexander, Cody, Skylar, Emersyn, and Brock; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; step father Charles Mulfinger; step mother, Janet Willits; sister, Helen Mays; and brother, Mike Blackman.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Pleasantview Care Center staff of Whiting, Iowa for their patience, love and kindness.