Willis Nathan Fluke, longtime resident of Idaho Falls and a well known local Bee Keeper, passed away at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center late Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 after a sudden illness. He was born December 27, 1921, to William and Rose Fluke in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The family later purchased a farm near Holt, Minnesota, where he learned to love hunting and trapping at an early age. Completing his formal education with his graduation from Holt Consolidated School in 1936, he soon left his family to embark on an odyssey of work and travel throughout several Midwestern and mountain states before arriving in Idaho Falls in 1941. On July 2, 1942, he married Alta Leigh of Idaho Falls prior to reporting for induction into the US Army at Fort Douglas, Utah. Assigned to the First Cavalry Division, he wore both the distinctive jodhpurs and wide brimmed campaign hat as he trained to pack and care for both mules and horses as a member of the Veterinarian section of the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion. Following their initial training at Fort Bliss, Texas, his unit was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It was here that the Division converted from horses and mules to a mechanized unit. When his Veterinarian section was disbanded, he later performed a variety of duties from driving trucks to acting as a coxswain on a Landing Craft. The First Cavalry then spent a short time training in Australia before beginning to fight it's way through New Guinea and the Admiralty Islands, finishing it's push northward with the successful invasion of Leyte in the Philippine islands. Most notable among his war time experiences was his participation in the liberation of the 3,700 civilian internees held at the Santo Thomas University. His unit then engaged in the battle to free Manila. His fondest memories of his 25 months overseas were the times he traveled and traded with the local natives, even attempting to keep a monkey as a pet. But he was ready to return to the US where he was honorably discharged from the Army in September of 1945. After his return to civilian life, he and his wife and son were soon off on another journey, touring the western US in their Model A Ford, traveling and camping for several months before returning to Idaho Falls. After working as a laborer, he later became a Journeyman Cement Mason, a proud member of Local 629, helping to construct many of the facilities and reactor installations at the Atomic Energy Site and also many other projects in and near Idaho Falls. After about twenty years of working in construction, a part time hobby, Bee Keeping, became the passion of his life, leading him to become an Apiarist and later founder of Snowline Honey, Inc. His product quickly became known for its exceptional clarity and purity, qualities which were his trademark for the next forty five years. Besides producing excellent honey and wax products his bees also provided critical pollination services for the California Almond industry. Second only to his love for his bees was his lifelong enchantment with the mountains and streams of his adopted state. An avid sportsman, he hunted bears and cougars with his beloved hounds while feeding his growing family a healthy diet of Venison, Elk, Moose and Antelope. Survivors include his sons, Rick (Ingrid) Fluke and Bill (Dorothy) Fluke residing in Arlee, Montana; grandchildren: Rick (Lisa) Fluke of Anchorage, Alaska; Britt (Jamie) Connelly of Idaho Falls; Corey Drewes of Boise; Keegan Fluke of Arlee, Montana and great-granddaughter, Fawn Lisa Fluke of Anchorage; son-in-law, Kenhi Drewes of Idaho Falls; brothers: Donald(Dana)Fluke of Idaho Falls; Walter (Fern) Fluke of Spokane, Washington; sisters: Lorene Trim of Lincoln, California; Luella Oien and Janice (Earl) Hanson both of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; Mae (Duane)Von Wold of Wagoner, Oklahoma and De Etta (Floyd)Hanson, Newfolden, Minnesota; his friend and long time employee, Fidencio ('Junior') J. Vielma and a host of animals, both wild and domestic, that regularly came by the Honey House to visit. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years, Alta Fluke; two daughters, Annette Rae Drewes and Michelle Ann Fluke; 2 grandchildren: Nichole Paige Drewes and Timothy Lynn Fluke. Having been cremated at his own request, a memorial celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 20, at 2:00 pm at the Coltrin Mortuary Chapel, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services. Military rites will be performed by the Bonneville County veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard following the services at the mortuary. The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Boys Town of America, Donor Services; P.O. Box 6000; Boys Town, Nebraska 68010; 800-271-3700.