Willora "Willie" Marcele (Titus) George Obituary (1942 - 2018)

Willora (Willie) Marcele George died on August 13, 2018, of cancer. Willie was born on May 16, 1942, in La Grande, Oregon to Marvin and Gertrude Titus. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Union, Oregon. Willie married Rodney Paul George in Union on August 25, 1963. They later divorced. Willie and Rod had two children, Bradley P. George and Rebecca (Becky) H. George. Willie was active in sports in high school and then turned to coaching. She was an integral part of getting girls little league softball started in La Grande in 1980. She and her children coached for many years. When Willie wasn't on the field she was in the classroom as an educational assistant in special education. She started working in the La Grande School District at Island City Elementary School in 1980 before ending her career more than 20 years later at Baker High School. Willie enjoyed gardening, feeding her backyard birds, being outside and spending time with her family and friends. Some of her favorite memories were formed during her trips to the Willamette Valley to visit family and be with her grandchildren. Her most favorite destination was Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, Oregon. She was also a faithful supporter of University of Oregon football, basketball and softball as well as Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball. Willie will be remembered for her get 'er done attitude and for the fact that she never met a stranger. Willie made a lot of friends just by striking up a conversation with the person standing next to her. Willie was preceded in death by her parents and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. Willie is survived by son Bradley P. George (Irina), daughter Rebecca (Becky) H. George (Nickie), sister Cinda Petersen, brothers Norman Titus (Carol), Ron Titus (Dorothy), and Richard Titus. Grandchildren Nicholas George, Olivia George and Ryan George. Numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and longtime companion Susan Hinzpeter. Willie's family and friends will be hosting a Celebration of Life at the pavilion at Pioneer Park in La Grande, Oregon on Saturday, August 25 at 11 am, and also encourage you to share your favorite memories in writing or by photo on her tribute wall at the Gray's West and Company website (grayswest.com). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Willie's honor to the Billie Ruth Bootsma Clinic Fund or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Alternatively, a Sam Marcum Field Improvement Project, to improve the dugouts and backstop at the Pioneer Park girls softball field, is available to accept memorial contributions. Contributions to the Improvement Project can be mailed to P.O. Box 1133, La Grande, OR 97850.