Obituary for RICHARD HENRY "Dick" WILLS
Richard H. ‘Dick’ Wills, 101, of Birch St., Negaunee, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, December 29, 2021 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans with his loving family by his side.
Dick was born March 27, 1920 in Negaunee to Thomas and Florence (Jennings) Wills, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1937, and was a lifelong Negaunee resident. He served honorably in the United States Army during World War II, having fought in Normandy, Battle of the Bulge and the Rhineland. Following his service to his country, he returned home and married Edith Danielson on August 1, 1945. Dick worked as a plant repairman for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., retiring in 1981 after 37 years of service.
Mr. Wills was a member of Marquette Hope United Methodist Church-Mitchell Campus, Negaunee; and was also a life member of the Negaunee Elks Lodge, Ahmed Temple Shrine, VA Romo Post #3165, Negaunee VFW, and the Teal Lake Masonic Lodge. Dick was very civic minded, sitting on the Negaunee City Council, the Negaunee Board of Review, and the MarqTran board. In 2013, he served as the Mayor of Negaunee at the age of 93, making him the oldest Mayor in the United States at that time. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and being with his family.
Surviving are his daughter, Barbara Pesola of Green Bay; two grandchildren, James (Kara) Pesola of Temple, TX and Anna (Justin Maas) Pesola of Madison, WI; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Wills; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Edith Wills; and three brothers: Raymond (Leone), Clyde (Helen) and Robert Wills.
Memorial services will be held at a later date, and will be announced by Koskey Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Dick’s memory to the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans Activity Fund.
Dick’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans for their loving and compassionate care provided over the past years.
Mr. Wills’ memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Dick was born March 27, 1920 in Negaunee to Thomas and Florence (Jennings) Wills, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1937, and was a lifelong Negaunee resident. He served honorably in the United States Army during World War II, having fought in Normandy, Battle of the Bulge and the Rhineland. Following his service to his country, he returned home and married Edith Danielson on August 1, 1945. Dick worked as a plant repairman for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., retiring in 1981 after 37 years of service.
Mr. Wills was a member of Marquette Hope United Methodist Church-Mitchell Campus, Negaunee; and was also a life member of the Negaunee Elks Lodge, Ahmed Temple Shrine, VA Romo Post #3165, Negaunee VFW, and the Teal Lake Masonic Lodge. Dick was very civic minded, sitting on the Negaunee City Council, the Negaunee Board of Review, and the MarqTran board. In 2013, he served as the Mayor of Negaunee at the age of 93, making him the oldest Mayor in the United States at that time. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and being with his family.
Surviving are his daughter, Barbara Pesola of Green Bay; two grandchildren, James (Kara) Pesola of Temple, TX and Anna (Justin Maas) Pesola of Madison, WI; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Wills; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Edith Wills; and three brothers: Raymond (Leone), Clyde (Helen) and Robert Wills.
Memorial services will be held at a later date, and will be announced by Koskey Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Dick’s memory to the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans Activity Fund.
Dick’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans for their loving and compassionate care provided over the past years.
Mr. Wills’ memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com