MICHAEL GEOFFREY WILLIS 1941-2010

Mike Willis finally lost his battle with cancer and died in hospital on Saturday night June 5th. Mike Willis had been a great stalwart of Nomads Cricket Club as player, match manager, tour manager and committee member. He also ran the Nomads Golf Society for many years. A tall left handed batsman with a thunderous drive he was also renown for his frequent theatrical displays of irritation with his dismissal.

The presence beyond the boundary of his stepdaughter  Florence in miniscule bikini is also readily remembered by a generation of Nomads. Our sympathy to her, his wife Joan, his daughter Alicia and  former wife Monique who was a frequent spectator at Nomads matches and a supporting tourist

Mike joined Nomads in the early mid ’70s. He was a  founder of the Weyfarers CC and also a regular player and tourist with Cryptics CC.

All Saints Church Tilford

A Service of Thanksgiving For the life of Michael Willis 15 July 1941- 5 June 2010

Several Nomads(past & present) attended the thanksgiving service including Michael Blumberg, Andrew Dunley, Alan MacDanel, Tim Barson, Tony Lycett, James Drayton and Chris Heron.

” What ! “

Willis in Paris 1979
Willis records a duck at St John’s Leatherhead 1981
Willis undefeated at Old Cranleighans 1982 short of victory
Willis at Effingham 1989 plays with Ajay Jadeja

David Comfort commissioned this tie in Mike’s  memory and his friends subscribed to a bench to be placed at Brook Cricket Club where Mike played many a match for Weyfarers, Cryptics and Nomads. Nomads continue to play at Brook but against the Sydenhurst Ramblers. Nomads President wore the Willis tie at Lord’s December 2010 at an MCC members and guests supper.

Friends of Michael Willis commissioned a bench in his memory to reside at Brook Cricket Club, Surrey. In 2011 at the Nomads v Sydenhurst Ramblers match Nomads and friends gathered to celebrate Michael Willis’ memory.

What!