Willis E. Kuhns, 83, died April 14, 2018, a day before his 84th birthday, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He and his wife Carol A. (Keim) Kuhns were married since 1971.

Born in Lower Macungie Township, he was the son of the late Willis B. and Leah R. (Guth) Kuhns.

He was a member of Jordan Lutheran Church, Orefield.

One of six children, he graduated in 1952 from William Allen High School, near the top of his class.

He attended Penn State University on a U.S. Navy ROTC scholarship, earning dual degrees in engineering.

He served three years as a Navy officer in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Upon returning to Pennsylvania, he started working for Western Electric.

An entrepreneur, he bought Kuhns Motel from his dad in 1964.

Soon thereafter, he left Western Electric and started his own entrepreneurial journey.

Many businesses came and went over the years - impressive to watch and often the entire family contributed.

Always active within the community, he served on the board of directors of the Allentown Lehigh County Tourist and Convention Center, past president of Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery Board, past president of Western Lehigh Lions Club, where he received the Melvin Jones Award, present member of Kuhnsville Lions Club and as president, Lehigh Valley Parents Group for Hard of Hearing Children.

He is survived by his and his wife’s blended family of six children Kathy (Jamie), Kimberly (Mindi), Kelley (Greg), Wally (Teresa), and Karla (Scott); 14 grandchildren; brother Larry (Marianne); and sisters Kate Herrington (Nevis) and Elizabeth Watsula (Steve).

He was predeceased by a son Willis III; brother John; and sister Nancy McClendon.

Contributions may be made to the church, 5103 Snowdrift Road, Orefield, PA 18069, or to Lehigh Valley Hospital Network Hospice, 2024 Lehigh St., Allentown, PA 18103.

Arrangements made by Schmoyer Funeral Home, Breinigsville.