Arlene Mae Walker Willis Lewis
March 16, 1937 – December 4, 2022
Arlene Mae Walker Willis Lewis was born, alongside her identical twin, Darlene, on March 16,
1937, in Taft (CA). Along with their older sister, Mary, the girls eventually moved to San
Bernardino where they lived, and all three graduated from San Bernardino High School. The
twins were popular cheerleaders in high school and performed their famous “Red Birds” cheer
over the years in the presence of family and even at their daughter’s high school pep rally in
1980. All three sisters were beautiful, intelligent, and dynamic women who started life with little
to nothing and rose to realize exceptional lives.
Later, Arlene married Dr. Jim Willis, and raised their three children: Jimmy, Marty and Julie in
Rialto (CA). Arlene began her extraordinary career in public affairs through her work with a
young California State Assemblyman, Jerry Lewis, of San Bernardino. Arlene ran Jerry Lewis’
office during most of his service in the California State Legislature (1969-1978) and served as
his chief of staff during his 34 years (1979 – 2013) representing the Inland Empire and High
Desert in the U.S. Congress. Arlene and Jerry had been friends in high school and reestablished
a friendship through their common interest in public service that eventually led to romance and
later a 35-year marriage. They were married in Redlands in June 1986.
Through their partnership, they secured significant federal funding benefiting many entities
throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California. This included funding to address
wildland fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, funds to establish the Lewis Center for
Educational Research in Apple Valley, and the establishment of groundbreaking cancer
treatment technology through the Proton Therapy Treatment and Research Center at Loma Linda
University. In recognition of her service, Arlene was the recipient of the Shirley N. Pettis Award
by the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation for her commitment and efforts
on behalf of Loma Linda University.
Arlene was a tour de force on Capitol Hill, building, mentoring, and sustaining for more than 30
years a team of young professionals in the Office of Congressman Lewis dedicated to bipartisan
public service. She created a positive work environment for the Lewis office staff that
encouraged and rewarded initiative. More importantly, Arlene was the gracious guiding light
who inspired others to reach their potential and realize their talents to the fullest. Because of the
work environment Arlene and Jerry Lewis fostered, the Lewis congressional staff became an
extended and close-knit Lewis family that endures to this day.
Constituents in California often remarked that having Arlene serving side-by-side with Jerry in
Washington, DC was like having two Members of Congress. Those on Capitol Hill – elected
Members of Congress and their staff— recognized and appreciated Arlene and Jerry for their
kindness, generosity towards others, and for working together across party lines for the greater
good of their constituents and the American public.
Arlene and Jerry Lewis retired from public service in 2013 and returned to their home in the
Inland Empire where they enjoyed time with their dog (Bruin) and, following Bruin’s passing,
their dog (Sugar), walking daily, and spending time with family and friends.
Arlene’s extraordinary generosity and commitment to serving others extended well into her 85th
year. As she celebrated her 85th birthday last March, Arlene directed funds to the Making Hope
Happen Foundation to establish an endowment scholarship for graduating students committed to
future careers in public service from her alma mater, San Bernardino High School.
In lieu of flowers, Arlene’s family requests that family and friends consider honoring her
memory and legacy of pursuing bipartisanship and civility in our public policy discourse by
sending a contribution to:
UCLA Foundation
“The Jerry Lewis True Bruin Values Fund”
Attn: Treasury Management
10889 Wilshire Blvd
10th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1603
Contributions can also be made at: https://giving.ucla.edu/campaign/Donate.aspx?Fund=16570c
Monday, December 19, 2022
9:00 - 10:00 am (Pacific time)
Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel - Redlands
Monday, December 19, 2022
Starts at 10:00 am (Pacific time)
Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel - Redlands
Monday, December 19, 2022
Starts at 11:15 am (Pacific time)
HILLSIDE MEMORIAL PARK
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