Honoring the passing

0ne of America's first female Marines

Adriana Braaksma Willis

CORP US MARINE CORPS
WORLD WAR II

Adriana Braaksma Willis, a long time resident of South Oceanside, passed away June 24, 2020. She was 97 years old. She was born June 16, 1923, in Friesland, Wisconsin.

After graduating high school, she joined the U.S. Marine Corps as one of the first Women Marines.

She served on the east coast during WWII and relocated to Southern California after her tour of duty 1943-1945.

She attended the University of Southern California and earned her B.S. degree in education.

She met her husband, John Willis (passed away in July 2006), a career U.S. Marine, in Long Beach and married in 1948.

She was a career teacher and taught many years in San Diego, CA, Greeley, CO, Billings, MT, Casper, WY, and the Oceanside School District.

Adriana is survived by her son, John R. Willis, daughter, Stephanie M. Willis and son-in-law Ted Linhof, son, Jeff Willis, and six grandsons, Tanner, Andrew, Alex, Austin, Connor and Carson.

Her ashes will be buried with her husband, John, at Rosecrans National Veterans Cemetery on August 21, 2020.

Adriana

Adriana Braaksma Willis