Background
Willis, George Edmund was born on July 16, 1920 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Son of George Clarence and Marion Romer (Gillespie) Willis. came to the United States, 1925.
Willis, George Edmund was born on July 16, 1920 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Son of George Clarence and Marion Romer (Gillespie) Willis. came to the United States, 1925.
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering cum laude, Michigan State University, 1942; Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1947; Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Lake Erie College, 1984.
Engineer, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, 1947-1951; superintendent, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, 1951-1959; vice president, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, 1959-1969; executive vice president, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, 1969-1972; president, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, 1972-1987; chief Executive officer, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, since 1987; also Chairman of the Board, Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland. Board directors Lincoln Big Three, Inc., Baton Rouge, Big Three Lincoln Alaska, Inc., Anchorage, Big Three Lincoln (United Kingdom) Ltd., Ross-Shire Scotland, Lincoln Electric Company (Europe) S.A., Grand-Quevilly, France, Lincoln Electric Company Canada, Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Lincoln Electric Company (Australia) Proprietary, Ltd.
Chairman board trustees, treasurer Camp Ho Mita Koda. Board governors Geauga County Young Men’s Christian Association. Board trustees Lake Erie College.
Trustee, executive committee Cleveland Council World Affairs, active Cleveland Committee Foreign Relations. Served to major Army of the United States, 1942-1946, European Theatre of Operations. Member American Welding Society, Wire Association, Greater Cleveland Growth Association, Cleveland Engineering Society, Electrical Manufacturers Club, Alpha Chi Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi.
Clubs: Fifty, Harvard Business School (Cleveland). Chagrin Valley Hunt, St. Christopher's-by-the-River, The Hangar.
Married Dorothy Anne Rice, June 7, 1943. Children: Dorothy Anne, Jacqueline Pamela, Marion Jean, George Patterson Rice, James Edmund, Lorna Isabel. Married Rolande Germaine deLipowski Hastings, July 23, 1983.
Stepchildren: Julian Martin, Marianne Frances.