Background
Best, Willis D. was born on July 8, 1923 in Gas City, Indiana, United States. Son of Walter and Lillian Opal Best.
Best, Willis D. was born on July 8, 1923 in Gas City, Indiana, United States. Son of Walter and Lillian Opal Best.
Student, Mississippi State College, 1943; student, Wright Junior College, Chicago, 1963-1964; student, George Meany Center Labor Studies, 1969, 71-72, 76-78, 80-83.
Signalman, Pennsylvania R.R., 1941-1963;
grand lodge representative, Brotherhood R.R. Signalman, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 1963-1969;
director research, Brotherhood R.R. Signalman, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 1969-1973;
vice president, Brotherhood R.R. Signalman, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 1973-1977;
secretary, treasurer, Brotherhood R.R. Signalman, Mount Prospect, Illinois, 1977-1988;
secretary, treasurer emeritus, Brotherhood R.R. Signalman, Mount Prospect, Illinois, since 1988. Member Labor/Management Committee's Task Force on Rail Transportation, since 1972. Trustee Illinois Council Economics Education.
Member labor research advising committee Bureau Labor Statistics, Department Labor.
Treasurer 8th Air Force History Society, Illinois chapter With United States Army Air Corps, 1943-1945. European Theatre of Operations, North African Theatre of Operations. Member American Civil Liberties Union, American Legion.
Married Belva Jane Cook, December 13, 1947. Children: Kathleen Diane, Steven W., Kevin Dale, Theresa Jane.