Broadband backer, Moses Lake Rotarian dies

MOSES LAKE - Lee Willis, an active Rotarian and advocate for bringing fiber optics and tech companies to Grant County, died at the age of 59 after a long battle with cancer.

He passed away Sunday at his Moses Lake home with his wife, Kitty, at his side.

Willis worked diligently to bring the latest in technology to the Moses Lake area, according to former Grant Economic Development Council Executive Director Terry Brewer, who knew Willis both professionally and as a friend for about 15 years.

"It's sad to see him pass on, he was a great friend of mine," Brewer said. "He was a very community-minded citizen and he saw from early on that it was important to get fiber into Grant County for broadband communications. He worked hard for that."

For several years, Willis managed the Titan Data Center, a high-tech building constructed in 2008 and occupied by web companies such as Ask.com and Match.com, along with tenants in several other fields, according to a 2011 article in the Columbia Basin Herald. Willis referred to the building as "an extremely efficient data center that has one of the best efficiency ratings in the world."

"His general knowledge about broadband communications was extensive, and he was quite an activist to get the Grant County PUD to bring fiber to the area," Brewer said, adding, "He'll be missed by a lot of good people for a lot of good reasons."

Willis was also involved in the community through the Moses Lake Rotary Club. He served on Rotary's board from 2007 to 2011 and was president from 2009 to 2010, according to current club President Richard Hanover.

"He had 10 years of perfect attendance with our club," Hanover said. "To Lee, it was really important. Even through the last bit, when he was in the hospital, he was concerned about missing his Rotary meetings. He kind of set the bar high for the presidency, and I'm glad I didn't have to immediately follow him."

Hanover said Willis always had a story to tell, and served him as a mentor over the years.

"Lee lived a real interesting life and had a way of putting life into perspective," Hanover said. "He was just somebody that I could go to when I had questions, and he's helped me out in my personal life and in business. That's just the type of guy Lee was."

A memorial service for Willis is yet to be announced. An online guest book is available at www.kayserschapel.com.