Obituary for Loruama "Willy" Tawawili
Loruama “Willy” Tawawili, age 69, was taken home by his Savior, after a long struggle with Primary Progressive Aphasia, on December 23, 2022. He was born in Ono-i-Lau, Fiji on January 23, 1953 the son of the late
Loruama Teu and Akesa Sogo. In 1989, he married the love of his life, Virginia (Martin) Wilkins at Grace Lutheran Church, Oshkosh. A Traditional Christian wedding ceremony took place in Fiji in 1990. Willy enjoyed family get-togethers and socializing with his friends. He will be remembered as a charismatic, generous, an out-going friend to everybody he met here and in Fiji, his QVS ”Old Boys”, fellow soldiers in the Fijian Military Forces, friends at the Gratitude Club and Joseph Roeling.
Willy is survived by his wife of 33 years Virginia; daughter, Meri Silibaravi Tawawili; grandchildren: Elena LaveniaTawawili and Elyeshua Tawawili; step-sons: David (Heather) Wilkins, Steve (Blu) Wilkins and their sons, Hawk and River; sisters: Salote Delai and Lavinia Matatea (Kiti); cousins: Pita Kotobalava, Silipa Vuli (Buka) and dear niece, Alelia Vuli; brother and sister-in-laws: Bob Martin and Debbie (Herb) Pulver (Matt, Becca, Brennan), Kathy Martin (Hannah, Adam, Ellen), the Boehlke families, devoted friend, Hadjira Buser, nieces and nephews in
California and Fiji Islands, and new friend, Joseph Roeling. Loruama especially loved watching his grandson, Ely, and granddaughter, Elena, his “Pei and Rosi” play and grow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lorima Sotia; and brothers, Nikotimasi Kelai and Tevita Waqabaca.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 from 12:00 noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 913 Nebraska St., Oshkosh. Luncheon will be served afterward.
The family expresses a special thank you to caregivers: Heather, Chris and nurses at Compassus Hospice for their wonderful care.
Loruama Teu and Akesa Sogo. In 1989, he married the love of his life, Virginia (Martin) Wilkins at Grace Lutheran Church, Oshkosh. A Traditional Christian wedding ceremony took place in Fiji in 1990. Willy enjoyed family get-togethers and socializing with his friends. He will be remembered as a charismatic, generous, an out-going friend to everybody he met here and in Fiji, his QVS ”Old Boys”, fellow soldiers in the Fijian Military Forces, friends at the Gratitude Club and Joseph Roeling.
Willy is survived by his wife of 33 years Virginia; daughter, Meri Silibaravi Tawawili; grandchildren: Elena LaveniaTawawili and Elyeshua Tawawili; step-sons: David (Heather) Wilkins, Steve (Blu) Wilkins and their sons, Hawk and River; sisters: Salote Delai and Lavinia Matatea (Kiti); cousins: Pita Kotobalava, Silipa Vuli (Buka) and dear niece, Alelia Vuli; brother and sister-in-laws: Bob Martin and Debbie (Herb) Pulver (Matt, Becca, Brennan), Kathy Martin (Hannah, Adam, Ellen), the Boehlke families, devoted friend, Hadjira Buser, nieces and nephews in
California and Fiji Islands, and new friend, Joseph Roeling. Loruama especially loved watching his grandson, Ely, and granddaughter, Elena, his “Pei and Rosi” play and grow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lorima Sotia; and brothers, Nikotimasi Kelai and Tevita Waqabaca.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 from 12:00 noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 913 Nebraska St., Oshkosh. Luncheon will be served afterward.
The family expresses a special thank you to caregivers: Heather, Chris and nurses at Compassus Hospice for their wonderful care.