George K. Wills , 97 of Chestnut Hill, passed away quietly on October 10, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years Marilyn B. Wills. He was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on December 22, 1923 the youngest son of the late Victor Winter Wills and Violet Calhoun Wills. His brothers Victor W. Wills, Warren W. Wills and H. Donald Wills predeceased him.

He is survived by his daughters Waneta (Dave Doriss) and Winter, granddaughter Ashley (Erik Reeves), great- granddaughter Emma Reeves  and great- grandson Teddy Reeves.

After the love, devotion and pride of his family, the game of tennis played a special part of his life. Little did he know that his first job of maintaining the Wister Park's two clay "dirt" tennis courts in Germantown for twenty five cents a week would develop into a lifelong love of the sport.

Tennis matches that began in the late 1930's continued into his high school years at Germantown High School. After high school George joined the Army Air Corps. He received the Air Metal with three clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and achievement in aerial flight.

Returning to Philadelphia, he enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and graduated in 1949. Returning to tennis he played on the college tennis team and served as captain in his senior year. He was a member of the Jr. Honor Society (phi Beta Kappa) and the Friars Senior Society. He felt his college "claim to fame" was scoring 100% on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants exam.

George was a successful and well respected businessman. He spent most of his career at the Rohm and Haas Company. He rose to the position of Corporate Secretary before his retirement. He then joined the William Penn Foundation for the remainder of his business career.

After graduating from Penn, George began his active involvement in the tennis community. He competed in Philadelphia area tournaments and was ranked in both singles and doubles. He volunteered in numerous capacities acting as a Gold Cup counselor and local USTA referee. He was a member of the Philadelphia Patrons Association and the USTA National Senior Competition Committee.

He was most proud of his position as the director of the USTA's National Senior Grass Court Tournament for the 45, 50,  and 55 age brackets for nearly 20 years. Numerous players referred to the tournament as "one of the best national and international tournaments".

George was a contributing author to The History of Philadelphia Tennis 1875-1995 .  He was an honorary member of the Philadelphia Inter-Club Lawn Tennis Association and was honored to receive the Middle States President's Award in 1994 and to be inducted into the Middle States Hall of Fame in 2008.

George's love of tennis led him to become a member of the Germantown Cricket Club. He served in many capacities over his fifty year membership including President, Treasurer, and both Finance and Grounds Chairman. This was full circle in his tennis legacy beginning with those clay "dirt" courts at Wister Park.

A graveside service was held Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the George Washington Memorial Park, 80 Stenton Ave., Plymouth Meeting, PA  19462 at 10 AM.

Contributions in George's memory may be made to the University of Pennsylvania ( click here for the link ) or the charity of one's choice.