Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • ADVERTISE
    • AWARDS
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • DIRECTORY
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • Best Places to Work
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 11, 2014 02:00 AM

Noted Goodyear rubber planter Graham Willis dies

Crain News Service
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Graham Willis

    Crain News Service report

    PAIGNTON DEVON, England (June 11, 2014) — Graham Willis, 79, a planter who helped Goodyear with its advances in the cultivation and exploitation of natural rubber, died on June 2 after a long series of health problems.

    Mr. Willis joined Goodyear in 1976 as an administrative assistant in plantation operations. He later became the tire manufacturer's plantations inspector and made regular visits to Goodyear plantations in Brazil, Guatemala, Indonesia and the Philippines. Under his direction, Goodyear reduced the immaturity period for Hevea rubber from seven to three years. He formulated and implemented new agricultural techniques and introduced several modern clones, which improved productivity per hectare on Goodyear's seven rubber estates by 30 percent.

    He retired from Goodyear in 1996 and relocated back to England from Canton, Ohio. Mr. Willis was born June 7, 1934, in Lytham St. Annes, England. From 1952 to 1958, he served in the British Army, rising to the rank of captain in the XX Lancashire Fusiliers.

    In 1958, Mr. Willis began his planting career with Harrisons & Crosfield Ltd. in Malaysia. He spoke several languages, including English, French, Turkish, Chinese, Malay, Tamil and some Russian and Spanish.

    “Graham's passion for details and dry wit made him the most likeable nit-picker I've known,” said Gaylon White, a writer and long-time friend. “It was this single-minded pursuit of perfection that made him such a good planter and a loyal friend.”

    Mr. Willis was a member of the Incorporated Society of Planters; the International Society of Tropical Foresters; the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies Alumni Association; the Regimental Association; the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; and the Singapore Cricket Club. He also was a fellow of the British Institute of Management and a life member of the British Association of Singapore.

    He is survived by his wife Barbara and son Nigel.

    _______________________________________________

    This report appeared on rubbernews.com, the website of Rubber & Plastics News, an Akron-based sister publication of Tire Business.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Discount Tire acquires Dunn Tire, enters N.Y. market
    2
    Sumerel Tire buys Flynn's commercial assets
    3
    Michelin adding LTX M/S2 and LTX Platinum to Defender lineup
    4
    Fire at Poland plant will cut Goodyear sales by up to $40M
    5
    ACCC co-founder Larry Nicholls dies at age 78
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • ADVERTISE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • DIRECTORY
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
    • DIGITAL EDITION