JACK WILLS, 84, of OCEAN GROVE, died Friday, June 24th at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Mr. Wills was a standout, all-around athlete at Asbury High School in the early 1940s, earning a total of 10 varsity letters in four sports for the Blue Bishops. Making the most of his wiry 5-foot 11-inch, 175-pound frame, Wills played quarterback on the football team, ran sprints and the quarter-mile in track, led the swim team by competing in the 100-yard freestyle and he freestyle relayed, and performed with the school's tumbling squad. During his high school career, Wills was quarterback of the football team that won a Central Jersey group championship, ran the anchor leg in the mile-relay team that captured first place in the Penn Relays, and placed second in the individual quarter-mile at the NJSIAA state championship meet. As a senior, he was named outstanding individual performer at the Long Branch Relay meet after anchoring three winning relay teams. A story in the Asbury Park Press noted that Wills also competed in the javelin throw until an errant toss speared the hat of his high school coach, James M. Chippy Coleman. His athletic accomplishments earned Wills a scholarship to Blair Academy, where he continued as a three-sport athlete. At Blair, he captured first place in the state prepschool quarter-mile championship, clocking a 5.12. He also took up the sport of boxing in his two years at Blair, and reached the semifinals of the Diamond Belt competition. World War II ended Wills' athletic career, and he served as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Force, completing a total of 170 missions as a navigator and flight radio operator on troop carriers in Africa and Europe. For his service, Wills received eight battle stars, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Service Cross and a Presidential Citation. While stationed in Great Britain, Jack adopted a Labrador Retriever he named UK and took him along on several battle missions over Germany and Africa. To ensure UKs safety, Jack fashioned a flak suit and parachute for the dog. Once back home, Jack became a breeder of labs and competed in numerous field trials. Jack later worked as an electronic technician with the US Army Signal Research and Development Laboratory at Fort Monmouth. He also became an avid ham radio operator (N2AF1).
Jack is survived by a large and loving family, that includes his wife of 63 years, Gail Horter Wills; his children, Bob of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Joy Matovsky of Brick and Shane of South Portland, Maine. Jack also leaves three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many dear friends and neighbors.
Friends were invited to call Saturday, June 25th from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Ave., Ocean Grove. A funeral ceremony followed at 2 p.m. Interment was private. Those who wish may send flowers, or a contribution to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 80 Embury Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756 would be appreciated.