When Carson City Justice of the Peace Robey Willis first arrived in Carson City in 1969 it was to be an educator.
After 27 years on the bench, he retired on Thursday, still an educator. We can think of no better tribute to the man who was the city's longest serving justice of the peace than the lessons he taught to those who came before him.
Willis was appointed justice of the peace and municipal court judge in 1989 and was first elected 1990.
In a 1998 feature appearing in the Nevada Appeal, he was described as Carson's militantly moderate running judge.
Physical fitness has always been a big part of Willis' life, when he arrived in Carson he coached boxing at Stewart Indian School.
As a boxing coach, Willis coached the U.S. Olympic team against the Soviet Union in 1975 and the Western U.S. Olympic Team in 1976 when it competed against the eastern team to go to the Olympics.
In judging, as in boxing and in life, Willis is a great coach, and we'd encourage who ever follows in his footsteps to take his advice.
Be even tempered, not verbose, make quick decisions, do not become arrogant and have a sense of humor.
"You've got to have a sense of humor," he said.
We know that Willis will be around for a long time to come, and we thank him for all he has done for our city.