Print
Permanent LinkSenator Earl M. Willits View All Years
EARL M. WILLITS
Earl M. Willits was born October 30, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa. He passed away in Des Moines, Iowa on July 11, 1990 at the age of 43.
Mr. Willits graduated from Union-Whitten High School, earned an undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1968 and was honored with the Cardinal’s Key for academic excellence. He received a law degree from Drake University in 1974. Earl married Martha Oldson of Eagle Grove in 1969 and they were the parents of two daughters, Anne and Emily of Des Moines. They were divorced in 1986.
Senator Willits was elected to the House of Representives in 1970. He served one term there and was elected to the Senate in 1972, serving in the 65th, 66th, 67th and 68th General Assemblies.
During his term in the legislature, Senator Willits’ inquiry into the Iowa Commission for the Blind resulted in the resignation of the director and investigations into fiscal irregularities on the state and national level. He unsuccessfully sought school reorganization, and was influential in opening Terrace Hill to the public.
In 1979, Mr. Willits resigned from the Senate to work in the Attorney General Office. He was originally appointed head of the Farm Division, and later functioned as First Assistant Attorney General. His work both in the legislature and the Attorney General Office reflected his strong belief in serving people.
Earl Willits was an active member of Plymouth Congregational Church, serving on the Board of Trustees and their Fine Arts and Music boards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE SEVENTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Earl M. Willits, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this Resolution, expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.
FLORENCE BUHR, Chair
WILLIAM D. PALMER
MARY E. KRAMER
Committee