Known to many as “Papa John” he was born in Houston Texas, the son of Harold Willsley and Elizabeth Phin Oliver.

He attended Houston public schools and graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University.

He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII as Captain, Meteorology. Following his service, he continued his education to receive an MBA from the University of Houston. He was also a member of the Houston Racquet Club.

He worked for twenty-six years at Cameron Iron Works, his latest position being Technical Manager Ball Valve and Oil Tool Products where he had the responsibility for design engineering, metallurgy and quality control for these products. At one point he was assigned as consultant at the Oceanic Foundation, Makapuu – Waimanalo, which influenced his decision to later, upon retirement, move to Kaneohe, Hawaii, his wife’s hometown.

Before his move and after leaving Cameron, he continued as a consultant for various oil field companies, among them Mogas Industries, Inc., Gulfco Industries, Inc., Ziefle A.G (West Germany) and Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Japan).

He is survived by wife Pilialoha, sons John Jr. and James Robert; step children Scott Robertson, Connie Haskell and Jacqueline Lee, plus numerous grand, great grand and great, great grandchildren.