Aamot, Paul J. Oct. 10, 1924 - Sept. 18, 2010 Paul J. Aamot, a longtime English teacher at Willmar Community College and the author of books on writing and politics, died Saturday at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. He was 85. Aamot taught at Willmar Community College - now Ridgewater College - from 1963 to 1985, using a text he wrote called The Secrets of Writing in his composition courses. Some other colleges and universities also used the book, which was later republished as Writing Insights. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar with burial that afternoon at the Zion Lutheran Church cemetery in rural Watson. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. Paul John Aamot was born in rural Watson on Oct. 10, 1924, to John and Bertha (Lund) Aamot and grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Milan High School in 1942 and St. Olaf College in 1950. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a radioman-gunner on a carrier-based torpedo bomber in the South Pacific, earning three air medals after making 17 combat missions over the islands of Okinawa and Ishigaki. He married DeElla Cathryn Juel on Aug. 10, 1957, in New Rockford, N.D. Aamot also taught in New York Mills, Arlington, Sleepy Eye and Benson and earned a master's degree from The University of North Dakota. He also wrote a book on politics entitled What is Democracy? Socialism? Etc., which was reviewed by The Star Tribune. Aamot is survived by his wife, DeElla; two daughters, Jane (and Larry) Barr of St. Louis Park and Sarah Aamot of Brainerd; two sons, Brett (and Kathy) Aamot and Gregg (and Jeanne) Aamot, both of Willmar; one brother, his twin Phillip (and Geraldine) Aamot of rural Watson; and 14 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, two brothers and a niece.