wife #1 Mildred Herring
married 1945
wife #2 Diamond Maurer
married 1964 till her passing in 1968
wife #3 Irlene Baker Davis
married 1969 California
Willis "Chief" Richard Adai, Chief Storekeeper, USN Retired
Willis "Chief" Richard was born on May 29, 1917 in Sultana, CA and passed away on the 25th of May 2015 in Ventura, CA at the age of 97.
He graduated from Orosi High School in 1935 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 10, 1940. After boot camp in San Diego he was assigned to the U.S.S. Cincinnati CL-6. He was later transferred to the U.S.S. Hornet CV-8 from the maiden voyage to its sinking by kamikaze bombers at the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942. He was tremendously proud to have been part of the Doolittle Raid, walk across the bombs for Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and to be one of the survivors of the U.S.S. Hornet after it's sinking.
Over his naval career he was stationed at: U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay at Olongapo, Philippines, Suvam, Fiji, and 3 years teaching at Storekeeping School at Naval Station San Diego, CA. His last duty station was at the commissary store in Port Hueneme, CA. On June 20, 1963, he was discharged after serving 23 years active duty military, retiring with the rank of Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer.
He was the grandson of James Ely Perry, a civil war veteran. He was a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, and several ship reunion organizations.
He received many ribbons and medals including: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with 6 Stars, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 5 Stars, and World War II Victory Medal, along with a Unit Commendation for the Doolittle Raid.
He married Mildred Herring in 1945. He married Diamond Maurer in 1964 till her passing in 1968. Chief then married Irlene Baker Davis in 1969, his true love, until she passed away on February 27, 1995.
After Chief retired from the Navy he worked for General Telephone Company in California and later Boeing in Washington State. After he moved back to Ventura with Irlene he volunteered with Food-Share. He later devoted his time researching his ancestry and put together 100 3-D puzzles.
He is survived by his two step-children, Pat Bryant and John Baker; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; his sisters Doris and Marilyn; and numerous other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Adair and Hazel Hooper, wife of 25 years Irlene Adair, and stepson Charles Baker.
Thank you Grandpa for the smiles, moments and memories you have blessed us all with.
Chief has been entrusted to the care of the family-owned JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME in Ventura, CA. 643-8623. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, on June 5, 2015 at 2pm.
"He was just a common Sailor and his ranks are growing thin but his presence should remind us, we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Sailor's part is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SAILOR DIED TODAY."
married 1945
wife #2 Diamond Maurer
married 1964 till her passing in 1968
wife #3 Irlene Baker Davis
married 1969 California
Willis "Chief" Richard Adai, Chief Storekeeper, USN Retired
Willis "Chief" Richard was born on May 29, 1917 in Sultana, CA and passed away on the 25th of May 2015 in Ventura, CA at the age of 97.
He graduated from Orosi High School in 1935 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 10, 1940. After boot camp in San Diego he was assigned to the U.S.S. Cincinnati CL-6. He was later transferred to the U.S.S. Hornet CV-8 from the maiden voyage to its sinking by kamikaze bombers at the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942. He was tremendously proud to have been part of the Doolittle Raid, walk across the bombs for Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and to be one of the survivors of the U.S.S. Hornet after it's sinking.
Over his naval career he was stationed at: U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay at Olongapo, Philippines, Suvam, Fiji, and 3 years teaching at Storekeeping School at Naval Station San Diego, CA. His last duty station was at the commissary store in Port Hueneme, CA. On June 20, 1963, he was discharged after serving 23 years active duty military, retiring with the rank of Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer.
He was the grandson of James Ely Perry, a civil war veteran. He was a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, and several ship reunion organizations.
He received many ribbons and medals including: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with 6 Stars, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 5 Stars, and World War II Victory Medal, along with a Unit Commendation for the Doolittle Raid.
He married Mildred Herring in 1945. He married Diamond Maurer in 1964 till her passing in 1968. Chief then married Irlene Baker Davis in 1969, his true love, until she passed away on February 27, 1995.
After Chief retired from the Navy he worked for General Telephone Company in California and later Boeing in Washington State. After he moved back to Ventura with Irlene he volunteered with Food-Share. He later devoted his time researching his ancestry and put together 100 3-D puzzles.
He is survived by his two step-children, Pat Bryant and John Baker; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; his sisters Doris and Marilyn; and numerous other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Adair and Hazel Hooper, wife of 25 years Irlene Adair, and stepson Charles Baker.
Thank you Grandpa for the smiles, moments and memories you have blessed us all with.
Chief has been entrusted to the care of the family-owned JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME in Ventura, CA. 643-8623. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, on June 5, 2015 at 2pm.
"He was just a common Sailor and his ranks are growing thin but his presence should remind us, we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Sailor's part is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SAILOR DIED TODAY."
wife #1 Mildred Herring
married 1945
wife #2 Diamond Maurer
married 1964 till her passing in 1968
wife #3 Irlene Baker Davis
married 1969 California
Willis "Chief" Richard Adai, Chief Storekeeper, USN Retired
Willis "Chief" Richard was born on May 29, 1917 in Sultana, CA and passed away on the 25th of May 2015 in Ventura, CA at the age of 97.
He graduated from Orosi High School in 1935 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 10, 1940. After boot camp in San Diego he was assigned to the U.S.S. Cincinnati CL-6. He was later transferred to the U.S.S. Hornet CV-8 from the maiden voyage to its sinking by kamikaze bombers at the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942. He was tremendously proud to have been part of the Doolittle Raid, walk across the bombs for Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and to be one of the survivors of the U.S.S. Hornet after it's sinking.
Over his naval career he was stationed at: U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay at Olongapo, Philippines, Suvam, Fiji, and 3 years teaching at Storekeeping School at Naval Station San Diego, CA. His last duty station was at the commissary store in Port Hueneme, CA. On June 20, 1963, he was discharged after serving 23 years active duty military, retiring with the rank of Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer.
He was the grandson of James Ely Perry, a civil war veteran. He was a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, and several ship reunion organizations.
He received many ribbons and medals including: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with 6 Stars, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 5 Stars, and World War II Victory Medal, along with a Unit Commendation for the Doolittle Raid.
He married Mildred Herring in 1945. He married Diamond Maurer in 1964 till her passing in 1968. Chief then married Irlene Baker Davis in 1969, his true love, until she passed away on February 27, 1995.
After Chief retired from the Navy he worked for General Telephone Company in California and later Boeing in Washington State. After he moved back to Ventura with Irlene he volunteered with Food-Share. He later devoted his time researching his ancestry and put together 100 3-D puzzles.
He is survived by his two step-children, Pat Bryant and John Baker; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; his sisters Doris and Marilyn; and numerous other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Adair and Hazel Hooper, wife of 25 years Irlene Adair, and stepson Charles Baker.
Thank you Grandpa for the smiles, moments and memories you have blessed us all with.
Chief has been entrusted to the care of the family-owned JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME in Ventura, CA. 643-8623. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, on June 5, 2015 at 2pm.
"He was just a common Sailor and his ranks are growing thin but his presence should remind us, we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Sailor's part is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SAILOR DIED TODAY."
married 1945
wife #2 Diamond Maurer
married 1964 till her passing in 1968
wife #3 Irlene Baker Davis
married 1969 California
Willis "Chief" Richard Adai, Chief Storekeeper, USN Retired
Willis "Chief" Richard was born on May 29, 1917 in Sultana, CA and passed away on the 25th of May 2015 in Ventura, CA at the age of 97.
He graduated from Orosi High School in 1935 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 10, 1940. After boot camp in San Diego he was assigned to the U.S.S. Cincinnati CL-6. He was later transferred to the U.S.S. Hornet CV-8 from the maiden voyage to its sinking by kamikaze bombers at the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942. He was tremendously proud to have been part of the Doolittle Raid, walk across the bombs for Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and to be one of the survivors of the U.S.S. Hornet after it's sinking.
Over his naval career he was stationed at: U.S. Naval Station Subic Bay at Olongapo, Philippines, Suvam, Fiji, and 3 years teaching at Storekeeping School at Naval Station San Diego, CA. His last duty station was at the commissary store in Port Hueneme, CA. On June 20, 1963, he was discharged after serving 23 years active duty military, retiring with the rank of Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer.
He was the grandson of James Ely Perry, a civil war veteran. He was a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, and several ship reunion organizations.
He received many ribbons and medals including: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with 6 Stars, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 5 Stars, and World War II Victory Medal, along with a Unit Commendation for the Doolittle Raid.
He married Mildred Herring in 1945. He married Diamond Maurer in 1964 till her passing in 1968. Chief then married Irlene Baker Davis in 1969, his true love, until she passed away on February 27, 1995.
After Chief retired from the Navy he worked for General Telephone Company in California and later Boeing in Washington State. After he moved back to Ventura with Irlene he volunteered with Food-Share. He later devoted his time researching his ancestry and put together 100 3-D puzzles.
He is survived by his two step-children, Pat Bryant and John Baker; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; his sisters Doris and Marilyn; and numerous other family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Adair and Hazel Hooper, wife of 25 years Irlene Adair, and stepson Charles Baker.
Thank you Grandpa for the smiles, moments and memories you have blessed us all with.
Chief has been entrusted to the care of the family-owned JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME in Ventura, CA. 643-8623. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, on June 5, 2015 at 2pm.
"He was just a common Sailor and his ranks are growing thin but his presence should remind us, we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Sailor's part is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SAILOR DIED TODAY."
Inscription
Willis Richard Adair
SKC US Navy
World War II Korea
May 29 1917 - May 25 2015
Chief
Family Members
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