UPDATE: Hospital confirms Gov’t Engineer, Walter Willis has passed

The St. Joseph Mercy hospital, in a statement late Monday, confirmed that Government’s Engineer, Walter Willis died on Monday evening as opposed to reports from the Ministry earlier in the day which stated that he passed away during the morning hours.

The hospital said Mr. Willis was admitted to the hospital on Saturday, July 9, 2016, and was treated for multi-organ dysfunction but his condition subsequently deteriorated.

All protocols were followed upon his admission, the statement added.

Despite this assurance, the institution said it has “embarked on an investigation to ensure that all clinical guidelines were adhered to in keeping with Standard Operating Procedures.”

Media outlets earlier reported that Mr. Willis has passed, following a statement issued by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, with whom he was employed, however, it was later disclosed by sources close to Willis’ family that he is in a coma.

Willis has been employed by the state for decades and would have contributed to many national projects, providing technical and engineering expertise to various government ministers. Upon his commencement of service on May 3, 1999, Mr. Willis served as the Technical Adviser for Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier, under the Ministry of Public Works and Communication. Mr. Willis also served as Technical Adviser to Minister Harry Narine Nawbatt and Minister Robeson Benn before working alongside Minister Patterson from May 2015.

Mr. Willis was born on July 23, 1949, and was employed with the ministry for 17 years.

Outside his position as Technical Adviser, Mr. Willis held several positions, including that of the Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority; Project Manager of the Solid Waste Management Programme; and Project Engineer for the Caribbean Development Bank Third Road Project (Ruimveldt to Providence). Mr. Willis was also involved in a number of key developmental projects, including the construction of the Providence Stadium, where he served as the Project Manager.

Up to last Friday, Mr. Willis led a team on a site visit to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project.

He left to mourn, his wife, Dolly; three children, Christopher, Sonia, and Sandra; and three grandchildren.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE ST. JOSEPH MERCY HOSPITAL

PRESS STATEMENT

July 11, 2016

Mr. Walter Willis was admitted to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Protocols were followed upon his admission.

His condition deteriorated and he was treated for multi-organ dysfunction.

Regrettably, Mr. Willis passed on the evening of Monday, July 11, 2016.

The hospital has embarked on an investigation to ensure that all clinical guidelines were adhered to in keeping with Standard Operating Procedures.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital would like to extend deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Willis.