Corbin Willis & Grizzly 399 by Randy Willis

As a boy, I fell in love with bears during a trip to Yellowstone National Park. My parents drove my sister Marjorie and me there. We traveled in our red and white 1962 Rambler Classic Cross Country Station Wagon. Mother and Daddy slept in the back of the station wagon, and my sister and I were in our tent.

Before dawn, I exited the tent to find a distant tree. A black bear stood 30 feet away, staring at me. I slipped back into our tent, and the bear left when she finished with our garbage. I know that was a different time. Station wagons became vans, and vans became SUVs. Garbage was soon protected as if in “Fort Knox.” Thank God!

But not before I, a budding narcissist, took a photo of said bear with my mother’s Kodak. I’m determined to find it for this article. The monster must have weighed at least 100 pounds.

I became a lover of bears. I wanted to be a Forest Ranger. I collected wooden bear statues and still do. In those days, grizzly bears were absent from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Over the past several decades, they have recovered with help from those who care about such things. I am one of those people.

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In June 2024, I called my son Adam and grandson Corbin. “Let’s fly to Jackson Hole next week,” I said. We can whitewater raft and hike. Maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of Grizzly 399.” We departed for one of my favorite places on Earth: Grand Teton National Park and nearby Jackson, Wyoming.

I picked Corbin up from school two weeks ago, on October 22. I asked one of the stupidest questions ever: “Are you hungry?” We ate “low carbs” (just in case my doctor reads this) Mexican food at Mima’s Tacos. I asked Corbin another foolish question: “How would you like to plan a trip to see 399 again?” We were both like kids in a candy store discussing our trip next Summer.

When I got home an hour later, I read some shocking news. The most famous soul in the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole Valley, and Wyoming was dead. No, it was not Harrison Ford who owns a home on the Snake River south of Jackson. Grizzly 399, The Queen of the Tetons, had been hit by a car. She died the evening before Corbin said yes to the trip, Tuesday, October 23.

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“Grizzly Bear 399 captivated people around the world. She inspired many to learn about conservation. The species is important,” Hilary Cooley, grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, said in a News release. “We received an outpouring of appreciation for 399 and aimed to honor these sentiments in handling her remains.”

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“Grizzly 399 had a yearling cub, Spirit, with her when she was struck. The cub doesn’t have a tracking collar, so its whereabouts are unknown. There is no indication that the cub was involved in the accident.”

Grizzly 399 and her yearling cub, *Spirit*.

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Why All This Fuss Over One Bear?

399 has been so good at getting her cubs across the highway. She waits by the roadside, looking both ways, then crosses the road and calls her cubs.

399 stayed by the roads near people to keep her cubs safe from male grizzlies who killed cubs. Male grizzlies are afraid of people.

On May 21, 2020, a wildlife photographer spotted Grizzly 399 emerging from hibernation in Pilgrim Creek. She had four cubs, which was her largest litter.

Four years ago, at 24, Grizzly 399 was one of the oldest grizzly bears in the world with cubs. Seeing the Grand Teton National Park matriarch survive another winter is a miracle. Experts have documented only eight grizzly litters of quadruplets in the Yellowstone ecosystem since 1983. None of these litters were this old.

Two of her four cubs decided to play with some traffic cones. The cones were laid out to prevent cars from parking where they would cross the highway. Instead of crossing the highway inside Grand Teton National Park, they had fun with the cones. The cones were perfect toys for curious young bear cubs. 399 scolded them to stop and cross the road while it was safe.

In 2016, 399 only had one cub. She spent much time playing and wrestling with her lone offspring, “Snowy.” A hit-and-run driver struck Snowy. She was left to die in the middle of US Highway 89 in Grand Teton National Park.

Frantically, 399 wailed and bawled as any grieving mother. She dragged Snowy off the pavement using her mouth and placed him by a fallen spruce tree. She remained by her infant’s side and refused to move as if waiting, hoping the cub would wake up.

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Three years ago, Grizzly 399 and her four yearlings visited downtown Jackson around 10:30 p.m. and received a reception from law enforcement and wildlife authorities.

The police and sheriff’s department joined forces with Fish and Wildlife. They “escorted” 399 and her cubs through the streets of Jackson. This was stated by Jackson Police Chief Michelle Weber. No, she did not sign autographs. That’s for my grandchildren.

I recommend Thomas Mangelsen’s photography, books, and YouTube videos if you want to know why this bear was so loved. You will fall in love with the world’s most famous mother bear. Corbin and I are still going to Jackson Hole next Summer. Grizzly 399 leaves behind one yearling cub named Spirit, who was with her when she was killed. The cub’s whereabouts are unknown. Federal and state wildlife agents believe she is still alive. If Spirit is anything like her mama, I am betting on seeing him or her next Summer.

Grizzly Bear Grand Teton National Park. *First Light* © Tom Mangelsen strikes the summit of Mount Moran as mist rises off the Snake River.

“As the world’s most-photographed bear, Grizzly 399’s tragic death is also a stark reminder of the responsibility that humans have in making sure wildlife can safely move across large, connected landscapes,” Allison Michalski said. NPCA Northern Rockies Connectivity Program Coordinator.

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb. The leopard shall lie down with the young goat. The calf and the lion and the fattened calf will be together. A little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

Grizzly Bear 399 and her four cubs. Photo © Tom Mangelsen

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Adam Willis and Corbin Willis Yellowstone National Park June 2024

Aaron and Corbin Willis Jenny Lake

Josh Willis Grand Teton National Park 1991

Corbin Willis swimming String Lake

Corbin Willis is ready for Whitewater Rafting the Snake River 2024

Adam Willis Whitewater Rafting the Snake River 1991

Josh Willis, far left, Aaron Willis (in front of Josh in a green shirt, and Randy Willis in a red and white shirt.

Left Randy Willis, Adam Willis, and right: Josh Willis and Aaron Willis. Lunch on the banks of the Snake River south of Jackson, Wyoming.

Corbin Willis

Corbin Randall Willis, age 17, loves soccer, cooking, hiking, and track. He constantly reminds me, “You can do it, Grandpa,” as I try to catch my breath while hiking with him around Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park this summer (2024).

Corbin Willis Pinky G’s Pizzeria Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Incredible pizza. We ate there three times. June 2024. Great food and folks!

Corbin Willis Jackson, Wyoming June 2024

He has the rare gift of encouragement. My Mother used to say, “Criticism is the easiest thing on earth to do.” As we hike around Jenny Lake in the Tetons, I remind Corbin, “You will be my age someday. I hope your grandkids do this to you.”

Corbin recently said, “Grandpa, I will never drink or smoke.” I asked him how he came up with that decision: Church, me? “No sir,” he said, “By observation.” He lives on a high moral plane. Corbin reminds me of my father, Jake Willis.

With his moral sense of right and wrong, I hope Corbin will become a Billy Graham. He could fight for equal rights like my Dad did. Maybe this is God’s calling.

Corbin could be a novelist like his grandfather and teach spiritual lessons as C.S. Lewis did in his seven fantasy novels, The Chronicles of Narnia. Corbin’s protagonist could always fight against injustice, pointing to Christ as Lew Wallace did in Ben-Hur.

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I attempt to outwit him. “You know, Corbin, you are my favorite grandson. Oh, I forgot you’re my only grandson.”

I often tell him, “I’m so glad you got to see me.”

“The pleasure was all yours, Grandpa,” he grins.

My purpose is always to reveal the highest good to Corbin. Loving the Lord God Almighty is the highest good and the first commandment in the Bible.

Hang your hat on this scripture, Corbin. “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father….” John 14:9

Corbin, my prayer is that you always turn your eyes on Jesus. In Him, you will find the highest good. No matter where the Lord leads you, writer, ditch digger, or candlestick maker, do all to The Lord’s Glory.

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“I’m done, Corbin. I’ll pass the collection plate later. Better yet, you buy lunch!”

“Perhaps we should fast today, Grandpa?”

“Never mind, I’ll pay.”

I love him more than life. Grandpa

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Yellowstone National Park

Left Adam Willis (Corbin’s Dad), Josh Willis, and Aaron Willis, 1991

Choose your Destiny

Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. —Proverbs 27:20

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There are insatiable desires in man of appetites, recognition, money, and lust. Many are always wanting more, bigger, and better things. This is nothing new.

For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. —2 Corinthians 11:14

The eyes of man are never satisfied, the scripture records. Our restless heart that cannot find contentment in worldly possessions. We seem to be always seeking more.

Man has a hole in his heart. It’s a void, an emptiness. We can never fill it with relationships or money. Nor an endless array of entertainment, stimulants. Family and religion cannot fill this emptiness either.

Why? Only God can fill the “hole in our hearts.” Jesus Christ can and will satisfy that sense of longing and emptiness. We are designed—created—for God alone to occupy our souls: our heart, our mind, our will, our emotions.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. —Psalm 139:13

We need a personal relationship with the Lord of Creation, Jesus. This means a one-on-one connection with God in the Flesh. Jesus, the Christ of the Bible, fulfills this role. He alone can fill the longings of our hearts.

Millions try pills, drugs, and alcohol. History is littered with those who have taken this route. Some try education, career, family, and religion. My friend, only Jesus can fill the longing in our hearts. He alone can fill the hole in your heart—your soul —your mind.

Jesus loves you. He came to this earth because of that love. Jesus was beaten, and a crown of thorns was pressed into his head. His beard was plucked out. He was nailed to a cross naked. Shedding his blood, God’s blood for you and me.

His coat was gambled for. And dying high on that hill called Calvary—while his beloved mother wept. His disciples, who had witnessed His miracles, all fled—save one. Despised, mocked, and rejected, he prayed.

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. —Luke 23:34

All of this for you and me. That’s how much he loves you and me.

Do you want joy and peace, and a sense of purpose? Do you long to know why the Holy God in Heaven created you? Is his intent to jerk you up by the “nap of your shirt” and then condemn you with a smirk? Not hardly.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. —John 3:17

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Is your heart broken? Have your dreams failed? Are you overwhelmed? Are you oppressed? Jesus said in Like 4:18:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed. —Luke 4:18

Join me on the most extraordinary destiny ever offered to mankind.

This most extraordinary destiny ever offered to mankind.

You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. —Habakkuk 1:13

The Lord God in Heaven cannot look upon sin, for He is Holy. Yet He loves us, sinful man, and has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. To spend eternity with Him.

This is the story of this most extraordinary destiny ever offered to mankind.

Let’s begin with the last invitation in the Word of God, it is in Revelation 22:17:

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” —Revelation 22:17

Are you thirsty? Then come. Let him who hears come. And whosoever will, can come.

The invitation is to you—to me—to “whosoever will”—to everyone!

Bring your disappointments, failures, fears, and heartaches. The Holy Spirit says, Come to Jesus, our Savior.

God loves you. He wants to save you. He will save you. Come to Jesus, and drink the water of life freely.

Christ suffered, He bled, He died because He loves you and me. Listen to the still voice of the Holy Spirit, bidding you come to Jesus.

Don’t wait—come today! The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2 today is the day of salvation.

The Ends of the Earth

Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. —Isaiah 45:22

All you ends of the earth” includes the Aboriginal people of the Central Australian desert.

All you ends of the earth” are those in darkest Africa.

All you ends of the earth” are the isolated tribes in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

All you ends of the earth” are presidents, world leaders, and kings.

All you ends of the earth” is the polished lawyer, the gifted doctor, and the brilliant college professor.

All you ends of the earth” is the prostitute. It is the drug dealer. It is the rapist. It is the thief. It is the murderer.

All the ends of the earth is me—and you. Come today!

Why a Bronze Serpent

“So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was if a serpent had bitten anyone when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. —Numbers 21:19

Bronze represents judgment. The serpent is destructive, deceptive, and the most dangerous creature you will ever encounter. He is our adversary and the father of all lies. His name is Satan.

He does not appear with horns, a red cape, and an ugly face. Instead, he appears as an angel of light and says, what harm can what I offer do? No one will know. No one will be hurt.

It’s your body. You are in control. You can be your own god. You can be like god. No one can tell you what you can and can’t do. He is Satan, and he comes to destroy God’s most cherished and loved creation: You.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. —John 10:10

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Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. “Take a little cocaine,” Satan whispers. “It will make you feel good. No one will know. You’re not hurting anyone.”

The Greek term pharmakeia, in the Bible, is the root of the word “pharmacy,” in English. Pharmakeia is used in the New Testament (Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21; 18:23) to describe sorcery, witchcraft, and drug-related magic.

Jesus says, He has come that we may have life and have it more abundantly. Choose an abundant life in Jesus today.

You don’t need hangouts, hangups, or hangovers. You need a personal relationship with the Lord of Creation, who created the Universe and you. Jesus is His name.

In that relationship lies your future, your blessed Hope, your salvation, and your joy. And your Christ blood bought destiny. Choose your destiny today. It has already been paid for with Jesus’s blood on the cross of Calvary. But you must accept God’s free gift of eternal life. That is done through faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” —2 Corinthians 11:14

You and I have been bitten by sin, like the Israelite’s who followed Moses out of Egyptian bondage.

The Israelites had to choose whether to put their faith in God. It was a simple act of faith, but a life-or-death decision. We too face such a choice.

Those who looked lived.
Those who looked were healed.
Those who looked were made whole.
Those who looked were saved.
They didn’t wait until they were better people.
They didn’t have to touch it.
They just looked.

Jesus tells us in John 3:14-15 that this is a picture of Him being lifted up on the Cross of Calvary.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:14-15

The bronze serpent represented the people’s sin. According to the Scriptures, Christ was made sin for us.

Will you look to Jesus?—will you put your trust in Him?—the One who died for your sins.

Will you put your faith in Jesus?—the One who shed His lifeblood for you—and me.

My son Aaron Willis’s Automobile Accident

Some years ago, my eldest son, Aaron, was in an automobile accident. His back was broken so severely that the doctors said he might not ever walk again.

Several vertebrae in his lower back were fused. After that, he was able to begin the long task of healing from the spinal fusion surgery. He was encased in a rigid plastic back brace from his neck to his waist.

Later, his doctor agreed to let him briefly remove the brace and shower as long as someone was with him.

I was driving to pick Aaron and his brothers up for the weekend. Unbeknownst to me, his brother Josh helped him remove the brace as instructed by the doctor. Aaron could take a hot shower in his shorts. Josh was with him, but was much smaller than Aaron at that time. Aaron’s doctor approved all of this.

I began to exit to stop at the Austin post office on St. Johns, off Interstate 35, when a small but clear voice said, “You need to go now.”

I passed the post office exit. I drove as fast as possible to Wimberley, an hour away. I wondered what that warning was about.

There were no cell phones then. As I entered their mother’s home, I asked his mother where Aaron was. She said in the shower.

I ran to it, and the moment I entered the bathroom, Aaron said, “Dad, I’m dizzy.”

I stepped into the shower and placed my arms under his arms from his back. He immediately passed out.

I told Josh to help me move him to a bed while their mother called 911. His dead weight was more than I could have imagined.

We got him onto his bed without re-injuring his back. I knew if he had fallen, he probably would have been paralyzed.

I prayed as I followed the ambulance to the emergency room at Austin’s Seton Medical Center. I noticed the symbol on the back of the ambulance.

It was the American Medical Association’s (AMA) logo of a serpent wrapped around a staff.

The sign of healing medicine reminded me of the bronze serpent on the staff lifted up by Moses. Christians believe that’s where the symbol originated.

But, more importantly, it reminded me of Jesus being lifted up on a cross for my son. God’s son suffered in place of my son.

To this day, I cannot see that symbol without giving thanks to the Lord for that warning. I remember the shed blood of Christ lifted high upon a cross. It was for my sins, your sins, and the entire world’s sins.

When we arrived at the hospital’s emergency room, the doctors gave him intravenous (IV) fluids. They also gave him two bottles of Gatorade for dehydration.

The hot shower, combined with pain medication and dehydration, caused his blood to rush to his feet. This resulted in him fainting.

Look

Will you look to the One lifted up on a cross for you and me? Will you look to the Great Physician—Jesus—to heal you of all your pain, emptiness, and disappointments?

Will you look to Jesus? He took your place on the cross and died for your sins. Through Him alone, you can be made new, whole, and born again.

Choose

Jesus hung between two thieves (criminals) on a cross. One rejected Him, but the other put his faith in Him.

“Will You remember me when You enter Your kingdom?” one thief asks.

Jesus replied, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Both of those men were guilty of crimes serious enough to warrant the Roman death penalty. One put his trust in Jesus, and the other chose not to.

The question is, which thief on the cross are you? The one who said yes or the one who said no?

Now, there was the third cross that day. It was for another criminal named Barabbas, and he represents us.

Jesus was crucified on a cross meant for Barabbas—it was your cross—it was my cross, too.

Come

Come just as you are.

Will you say yes to Jesus—today?

There’s a Scripture that I love, and it explains things so clearly even I can understand.

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. —Romans 10:9-10

You can settle this question in heaven and on earth today. Say yes to Jesus. Accept His pardon, just as that one thief did on the cross. There are no prescriptive or mandated words. Praying is just talking to the Lord.

Open

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” — Revelation 3:20

Ask

Self-improvement will not qualify you for salvation, for God’s Word says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Comparing yourself to others will not work either: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

We seek to commend ourselves to God. However, God says our good works are like filthy rags in His sight [Isaiah 64:6]. If we are ever accepted in the eyes of Holy God, it must be through Christ our Lord.

There is no other way for says in Habakkuk 1:13, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness.”

If you could be good enough to pay for your sins, think about this. Why did Jesus have to die for you?

Jesus bore your cross and my cross. He took our place on the cross. He shed His blood for our sins on that cross high on a hill for all the world to see.

The Just for the unjust. The Righteous for the unrighteous. The Godly for the ungodly The sinless Lamb of God for the sinner.

According to the Bible, we all have feet of clay and fall short of God’s glory. Our righteousness is described in the Bible as filthy rags. God’s grace (his undeserved favor) is available to us all. However, we must accept His gift of forgiveness. This gift was bought and paid for on the cross with Jesus Christ’s lifeblood. You can say yes to Jesus’s free gift right now.

Our greatest need is forgiveness. Christ came to forgive us, but we must accept that free gift. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. —Revelation 3:20

Jesus knocks, but you must open the door to your heart, to your life, to your future.

It’s not a prescribed list of words. In Luke 23:42, one of the criminals crucified with Jesus pleads, “Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom. His heartfelt cry of faith from the cross saves him.

Jesus answers in the next verse with a promise. He says, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” The first person to accompany Christ to Heaven was this lowly thief on the cross.

Isn’t it time to decide which “thief” on the cross you are? Are you the one who put his faith in Jesus Christ? Or are you the one who rejected our Savior who gave His lifeblood for us?

The most famous 25 words ever written:

For God so loved the world. He gave His only begotten Son. Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. —John 3:16

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If these words are how you feel in your heart, then pray:

Heavenly Father,

I pray to You, asking for the forgiveness of my sins.

I confess with my mouth. I believe with my heart that Jesus is Your Son. He died on the cross at Calvary so that I might be forgiven.

Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead. I ask Jesus to come into my life as my personal Lord and Savior.

I turn from my sins and will surrender to your will throughout my life.

Your word is truth. I confess with my mouth that I am born again. I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus!

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

Reach out and touch Him today!

For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well. —Matthew 9:21

Epilogue

I was headed to Temple Baptist Church with Grandma, and my owner’s manual: the Bible. It was Grandma Lillie Hanks Willis who first poured Jesus into me; sometimes, she even used words. That’s my dog Pedro wanting to follow me.

We attended Temple Baptist Church in Clute, Texas, every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. It seemed that everyone attended church in those days.

On a Wednesday night, my mother could not attend church. I walked to church from our home at 519 Coleman Street. My twelve-year-old sister Marjorie accompanied me. I was only eight.

I had no intention of that night being any different from any other. I cannot recall a word Pastor Bill Campbell said in his sermon. But I remember vividly another voice that spoke to my mind—my heart—my spirit.

It was not an audible voice. It was a still, gentle voice, tender but ever so clear, telling me to go forward and accept Christ as my Savior.

I recall my response to the Holy Spirit as if it were five minutes ago: “Lord, I am too shy. I would if my mother were here to go with me.”

I felt someone touch my left shoulder. My sister Marjorie was sitting in the back row with her friends. She could not see my face, for I was seated near the front.

She said, “I’ll go with you if you want me to.” I immediately stood and walked with her to the front of the church and made my decision public.

I know you do not have to have an experience like that to be born again. Nevertheless, I am grateful for that experience; it has never left my mind or my heart.