Azalea Sue Willis Obituary (2024)

Azalea "Zae" (Calvin) Willis passed on to be with God on Friday, December 13, 2024, in Yakima, Washington. Zae was born on May 14, 1939, in Custer, Montana, the daughter of John and Ruby Calvin. Zae described her childhood in Custer as great, and her favorite early childhood activity was riding horses. At around age six, Zae moved to Billings with her parents. She completed most of her education in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1957. During her teenage years, she had a great time with her friends in Billings, and especially enjoyed ice skating and hiking. Eventually, Zae met and married Monty Rademacher on July 2, 1957. She always described him as her greatest love. Her daughter, Kallie, and son, Ric, were born in Billings, before the family pulled up stakes and moved to Alaska in 1962. She and her family lived there during the Great Alaska Quake of 1964. Zae worked in several fields during her life. Despite her strong aversion to flying, she worked as a travel agent for several years in Alaska. She also spent several years working as a Caseworker Supervisor for DSHS in Powell, Wyoming and she found this work highly rewarding. Her time in Alaska was an experience that she would never forget. She acquired friendships through activities she enjoyed, from weekend fishing trips, Kallie's school theater performances, Ric's boat races, and little league baseball games of family and friends. Life in Powell provided her with wonderful memories as well. Several of her grandchildren were born while living there. One of her greatest memories from Alaska and Wyoming was being a mom to Kallie's and Ric's friends. She wasn't Mrs. Rademacher, rather she preferred mom. She loved having the neighborhood kids gather at her house. However, with all the great memories she has of Powell, she experienced deep sadness there, with the loss of her beloved husband, Monty. Throughout her life, Zae was a member of the Church of Christ in various locations, including Yakima, Washington in her later years. Zae felt at peace and relied on her personal relationship with Christ her Savior as a guiding light. She also loved to sing and deeply enjoyed the fellowship of her Christian friends. Though Zae lived in numerous places during her life, she maintained her relationships with old friends. She once said that the fellowship with the church was her inspiration in life. One thing that was indicative of Zae's walk with the Lord, was a recent statement that what she was looking forward to most was "A peaceful trip to Heaven." Zae is survived by her brothers, Dueane (Judy) Calvin and David Calvin. Zae is also survived by her two children, Kallie (Earl) Mathers and Ric (Sydney) Rademacher. She was blessed with several grandchildren, including Brittni (Jason) King, Chelsie (Chris) Bush, Jonathan (Jessica) Mathers, Julie (Mathers) Ashburner, and Jena Mathers. Her great-grandchildren include Mikayla Mathers, Malaki Mathers, Mackensie Mathers, Jase King, Maisie Ashburner, Penelope Ashburner, Morgan Mathers, Meile Mathers, and Joseph Bush. Zae's bonus-grandchildren included Mikayla (Bret) Bitow, Kendelle (Joseph) Otero, Evan Harrington, Kyle Harrington, Jensen Bitow, and Kaisen Otero. Zae was preceded in death by her first husband, Monty Rademacher, second husband, Pete Willis, grandson, Joshua Mathers, and her parents. Although she struggled with health issues in recent years, Zae felt that her life overall was "fantastic." She was particularly grateful for family, friends, her relationship with God, and all the varied experiences she enjoyed throughout her life. A Memorial Service for Zae will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 2:00pm, at the Summit View Church of Christ (100 72nd Ave., Yakima, WA). Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.