Willis family 'grateful' for court's decision

For the Rev. Scott Willis, the Ryan decision was "the right decision" for which he and his wife Janet are "grateful.''

But, said Scott Willis Tuesday, "it doesn't give us any joy or happiness to see Gov. Ryan go to jail."

"Our lives are not hanging on the outcome of the appeal. We were prepared either way, whatever would come down,'' said Willis, who moved with his wife to Tennessee about three years ago.

The Willis family lost six children in a fiery 1994 Wisconsin highway accident caused by a truck driver who had obtained his Illinois license with a bribe -- a catastrophe that Ryan prosecutors said illustrated Ryan's toleration of corruption.

Though the Willis couple acknowledged during Ryan's sentencing hearing last year that they suffered bouts of depression stemming from the loss of their children, Scott said that these days "we're doing good."

"You still get saddened from time to time, but that's not something we fight day to day,'' said Willis, now 60. "We have our days when we might mention something and it brings back some tender moments, just missing the kids. We were told and warned about being careful about self pity and it has crept in there. But people have been very good to us [and] that's been a great help."

The Willis couple used part of a multimillion-dollar death settlement with the state to establish the Khesed Foundation -- "khesed" meaning mercy in Hebrew -- that funds missionary work overseas and in the inner city. Scott, an ordained minister, does not pastor a church in Tennessee but does teach adult Sunday classes.

"I'm not looking for an apology [from Ryan] -- I'm looking for an admission he has done wrong," said Willis. "We had a great loss, but [he should apologize] to all the people in the state who put their trust in him."

"I'm not looking for an apology [from Ryan] -- I'm looking for an admission he has done wrong. We had a great loss but [he should apologize] to all the people in the state who put their trust in him."