Myrl Allen Greenlee was born north of Vilas just as the sun was coming up on January 9, 1921. He departed this life on January 14, 2015, at the age of 94.

Myrl was the oldest of five children born to Herbert and Oma Alfrey-Greenlee. He attended school at Big Flat, Mountain View and the Vilas School until the 7th grade when he decided school just wasn't for him. At the young age of 12 he began farming for Turk Rutherford. When he wasn't working, Myrl spent time riding his horse, driving cars and creating havoc with his cousins and friends. At the age of 18, he met Olive Twyford. Myrl thought Olive was a real looker and she thought he was pretty handsome.

Myrl and Olive were married on February 15, 1942, in Clayton, New Mexico. They moved to Vilas and he continued farming for Turk until September of 1942 when he enlisted in the Army to fight for his country in World War II. He took the train to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he received his basic training then moved on to Camp Polk, Louisiana, where he became an active service member of the XIX Corps. Hq. Co. with the 9th and 1st Army. He landed on the beaches of Normandy on D Day + 6, then pushed forward into Northern France, on to Rhineland, fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes, then finished his last campaign in Central Europe in May of 1945. He served as a parts man, mechanic and jeep driver. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army on November 13, 1945.

Shortly after the war ended he and Olive moved back to Vilas. There, he became a self-employed mechanic and owner of the Vilas Garage. Myrl and Olive were married 7 years before having their first child, Barbara, followed by Vickie, Max, Ronda and Bruce.

Myrl served as a volunteer fireman with the Vilas Fire Department for over 50 years, many times being the first out the door and the first in the fire truck. Driven by curiosity and Mel's constant nudging, he became a Vilas City Council member in his 80's and held this position into his 90's.

Myrl was ornery and loved to tease and be teased. If he knew you well he probably called you by a nickname that he made up or by your last name. We're not sure if that was because he never could remember first names or if that was just his way of showing his fondness for you. Just know, if he called you by your last name, a nickname or even your given name, he considered you a treasured friend. Myrl never hurried, never worried, unless he was late for an auction. He was a simple man who took pleasure in the simple things and a simple kind of life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Olive; one brother, Mervin and wife Shirley; sisters, Gert and husband Pete Gilbert, and Oleta and husband Walter King; grandson Damien and a half-sister. He is survived by five children, Barbara (Lin) Hebberd, Vickie Estep (Ted Mullins), Max (Debbie) Greenlee, Ronda (Rod) McGee and Bruce Greenlee; one sister Devona McCarther, two half-sisters, Margaret Wait and Lola Deaton; twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; numerous relatives and a host of friends he considered family.

Funeral services were Monday, January 19, at 1:00 P.M. at the Vilas School Gym. Interment followed in the Vilas Cemetery.