Koll Construction’s John Wills Dies
NEWPORT BEACH — John L. Wills, who served as president of Koll Construction since 1987 and directed the building of numerous Southern California landmarks, died Wednesday of cancer. He was 58.
He joined Koll in 1983 after 14 years with the giant C.L. Peck Contractor Co. in Los Angeles, including four years as its president. While at Peck, Wills oversaw construction of buildings such as the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles and the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.
He was was named president of Koll Construction five years ago and directed more than $500 million worth of construction operations for the company throughout the United States and Mexico. Among them: the Nike Corp. world headquarters in Portland and the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda.
Wills is survived by his widow, Jo Ann, of Corona del Mar, and by a son, John Wills Jr. of Newport Beach, and two daughters, Linda, of Orange, and Jennifer Cattaneo, of Corona del Mar.
A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady Queen of Angels, 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach.
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