Willis honored for years of service to Carson City

By Sandi Hoover

shoover@nevadaappeal.com

Robey Willis has countless memories of his more than two decades on the bench as justice of the peace in Carson City Municipal Court - some humorous, and others, tragic.

But his service to the city started long before that, most notably as Juvenile Special Master and as a member of the Carson City School Board.

To honor Willis for his dedication to Carson City, the Ron Wood Family Resource Center has named him Community Leader of the Year, and will celebrate his accomplishments with a fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. Saturday at Empire Ranch Golf Course.

"We selected Robey for his years of commitment and dedication to the families of our community," said the resource center's Executive Director Joyce Buckingham. "This award is an opportunity for us to honor those unsung heroes who give so much day in and day out."

The evening includes music, a wine tasting, hors d'ouevres, an auction and a raffle.

Tickets are $50, and all proceeds will benefit the resource center's Child and Family Community Services.

Willis said he is humbled by the recognition, but praised the resource center.

"They're a great organization - they've helped so many families over the years, and Ron Wood was one of my good friends. In fact, I introduced him to his wife."

Willis, who retired in March, laughed when he said even though being a judge could be tough, it didn't compare to being on the school board.

"That was the hardest job I ever had. It was even harder than being a judge," Willis said. "As a judge, you make a decision, and that's that, but on the school board, there are other board members you have to convince and you're always taking heat for decisions."

One decision he said he is particularly proud of is the foresight of the board and the administration to buy property for future schools.

"There was a recession in the early eighties, and cuts were going on. It was so controversial, but we bought the property for Fremont and Mark Twain elementaries. Everyone thought they were too far out on the edge of town and that they wouldn't be needed," Willis said.

As justice of the peace, he said he has had to hear a number of murder cases, but one of the most brutal was the case of the two children who were locked in a Como Street apartment bathroom and starved.

"The grandmother locked them in and systematically tortured them while the others in the house had normal lives. I've had a chance to see these children since then, and they're doing well," he said. "I remember saying that I'd seen animals treat their young better than that."

In another case, a man came before him, he said, and answered one of his questions with complete disrespect and obscenities.

"It takes quite bit to get me riled up, but I started to climb over the bench, and Joan Fettic stopped me and saved my job," Willis said, laughing.

On another occasion, a man in his late seventies came in to be married to a pretty girl who was 29, who listed on the marriage license that this was to be her fourth marriage.

"I thought this was going to be a disaster, but what could I do? They had their marriage license," Willis recalled. "The next day, the poor guy came back in and said, 'Has anyone seen my wife? I gave her my credit card and haven't seen her since."

In addition Willis' cache of memories and numerous judicial accomplishments which include being named Judge of the Year by the Nevada Judges Association in 1991 and president of the Nevada Judges Association in1993 and 1999, he has been active in many other civic endeavors:

• Kiwanis Club member, 1976 to present

• Silver State Games Male Athlete of the Year, 1996

• Founding member, Carson Detoxification Center for alcohol and drug abusers, 1994

• Carson City School Board, member, president two terms, 1981 to 1988

• Carson City Park & Recreation Board member, 1981 to 1984

• Carson Police Athletic League co-founder, 1980

• Western U.S. Olympic Team Boxing Coach, 1976

• Coach of the Year by Sierra Nevada Sportswriters & Broadcasters, 1974

• Teacher of the Year, 1971,1973,1975, 1977

• Carson City Booster Club co-founder and board member, 1969