Arthur "Art" Willis Vix, 92, Minot, formerly of the Sawyer area, died Sunday, June 30, 2013 in a Minot Hospital.

Art was born April 26, 1921 on a farm near Sawyer, North Dakota, the son of Emanuel and Martha (Seibel) Vix. The family moved to a farm near Harvey in 1922 and he began attending country schools in that area. In 1929, the family returned to the Sawyer area, where his parents had purchased a farm. Art continued his education at rural schools south of Sawyer and then graduated from Sawyer High School in 1940. He attended Minot State College and later Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. He worked for a short time in Wichita, KS and then returned to the farm in Brillian Township of Ward County.

Art entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army Air Corps on September 15, 1945 and honorably served his country stateside until he was discharged in November of 1946. He was united in marriage to Emma Marzolf on March 1, 1946 at First Baptist Church, Minot. They began farming south of Sawyer where they raised their two sons and a daughter. Art and Emma moved to Minot in 1979.

In 1959, Art was baptized upon confession of his faith and became a member of the Sawyer Mennonite Brethren Church. There he served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendant, Choir member and director. He also participated in the Church Men's chorus and Quartet group singing at numerous services and functions. After retiring, Art and Emma had been former members of the Bible Fellowship Church before attending First Baptist Church of Minot.

Art served as the supervisor and clerk for Brillian Township. He was also a member of the Board of directors for the Velva Grain Company and was a member of the Sawyer Lions Club. He enjoyed meeting people and finding out about their lives and his wittiness enlivened many conversations.

Art's loving family includes, wife of 67 years, Emma; sons, Bob (Carol) Vix, Minot, Rolly Vix, Olathe, KS; daughter, Kathy (Wayne) Holdeman, Minot; Seven Grandchildren; Eight Great-Grandchildren; brother, Wesley (Mavis) Vix, Minot; sister, Mariann (Lavern) Quiring, Aurora, NE; several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant son, Arthur David Vix.

Funeral service : Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in First Baptist Church, Minot.
Interment : Sawyer Mennonite Brethren Cemetery, rural Sawyer.
Visitation : Monday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Child Evangelism Fellowship.