| Date of Birth | December 9, 1939 |
| Passed Away | May 30, 2009 |
| Place of Residence | Howard |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | June 3, 2009 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | Howard Union Church |
| Interment Location | Howard Cemetery |
WAYNE L. “BUTCH” WILLIS
HOWARD-Wayne L. “Butch” Willis, 69, who resided on the family homestead in Howard all of his life (3551 Graves Hill Road), died at home early Saturday morning (May 30, 2009).
Born in Hornell on Dec. 9, 1939 he was a son of the late Cash and Ida Karr Willis. On Dec l5, 1962 he was married in Hornell to the former Florence Jean McGregor, who survives.
A graduate of Avoca Central School, Butch received his associate’s degree from SUNY at Morrisville.
Besides loving to farm, he was employed by the former Foster-Wheeler Corp. in Dansville for 35 years before his retirement.
Butch was a member of the Howard Union Church and a charter member of the Howard Volunteer Fire Department.
He will be remembered for being a very proud, loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather who loved his family and the outdoors. He was also very community minded in Howard as well as in Crystal Lake Village, Florida, where he spent the winter months.
His family includes his wife of 46 years, Jean; his five children, Donald Willis of Howard, Kelly (Don) Rodbourn of Avoca, Pamela (Mike) Robords of Howard, Bonnie (Randy) Heard of Howard, and Dawn (Chad) Kiklowicz of Bradford; his 13 grandchildren, Anthony Rodbourn (Liz Fox), Cortney (Mike) Voss, Zachary Rodbourn, Mallory, Allison, Joelle & Emillee Robords, Mackenzie, Miranda and Mitchell Heard, Victor Peterson, Jillian Underhill and Cash Kiklowicz; his brother David “Chuck” Willis of Pennsylvania; also his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents he was also predeceased by his brother, Carl Willis and his sister, Carol Donnely.
Calling hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Avoca Funeral Home, 22 N. Main St., Avoca. A funeral service will be held in his memory at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Howard Union Church, with the Rev. Donald Lester officiating. Interment will be in the Howard Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either, the Howard Volunteer Fire Dept., the Howard Public Library or the Howard Union Church.
Jean & Family
I am ever so sorry to hear of the loss of you husband , father & grandfather.
I just remember “Butch” from our high school days & fun times.
He will ever be in the momories of everyone as a GREAT guy.
My thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time.
Joan (Calkins) Faulkner
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Wayne Willis, especially to his wife Jean. Wayne’s will not be forgotton because he was a kind and charitable person who would give a helping hand to anyone in need. We will greatly miss him,his warm smile and his cheerful outlook on life.He will be deeply missed.
Jean and family, Our condolences to all of you at this very difficult time. Wayne will be missed by so many. Our memories go way back to our school days and we will always remember the good times that we shared.
Lois and Paul Daniels
Butch Willis put me to work on his farm when I was about 14 years old. His guidance and direction over many summers became a touchstone in my adult life. He was truly one of the “Good Guys” and was and remains a personal hero of mine.
Although we didn’t see much of each other after I left Howard he and Jean were always in my thoughts. In fact, my son is named Christopher WAYNE in honor of Butch.
Jean, my deepest condolences and sympathy to you.
To Butch, God Speed my friend and mentor you will never be forgotten.
Our heart felt sympathy goes out to Jean and her family at this time.Wayne will long be remembered by his warm friendly smile and his concern for others.
May God be your sustainer today and the days to come.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, your forever fellow neighbor,
YOU HAVE MY SINCERE SYMPATHY. I KNOW WHAT YOU`RE GOING THROUGH AS I JUST LOST MY HUSBAND THE 4TH OF MAY. WE JUST BOUGHT THE KUNTZ`S PLACE ON DOGWOOD LANE IN CLV. TRUST IN THE LORD AND YOU`LL GET THROUGH THIS.
To the Willis Family.
May you all feel God’s loving arms around you and peace in your hearts knowing that we will all see him again in the promise land. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
God Bless
Jean, so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. God Bless you and your family.
Jean and Family, Remembering you and Wayne and Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Wayne will surely be missed by all our Crystal Lake family. Such a nice, cheery man with smile for everyone.
We will always remember your smiling face and welcoming nature. Jean, Kelly, Pam and all sorry this has happened. Just know he touched many with his ways. A very special man. – bob & robin
Jean, Charlie and I are so sorry of your loss, we just got to know you 2 well this year and were looking forward to next year.(My shuffle Partner)May God be with you and your family and help you heal. Love from
WE, your family at Crystal Lake Village, are shocked and saddened on Wayne’s passing. May you find comfort in your family. For those of us who could not attend Wayne’s memorial, our thougths and prayers are with you.
Jean and Family, Mike and I were sad to hear of Butch’s passing. My thoughts go to many school events while we were raising our children in Avoca and how much you two enjoyed your children. You all were very fortunate to have had Butch as your husband, father and grandfather and to have all of those wonderful memories to cherish. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may God bless you all.
We were shocked at the news of Wayne’s passing, and offer you and your family our sincere condolences. Wayne will be missed by all who knew him. Thinking of you at this time.
I am not always sure what to say but I would like the family to know that I am thinking of all of you. I wish there was something more I could do. Softball and soccer games won’t be the same without him there.
To Kelly, Don and family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. It is so difficult to lose a parent and such a special person.
Words cannot express our shock and sorrow. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Michel and Sandy Tremblay
P.O. Box 1537,
Carleton Place ON
K7C4M2
Words cannot express our shock and sorrow. Please know you are in our thoughts & prayers.
Jean, What a wonderful picture of Wayne you have here on this site. I am a cousin of Wayne’s. I remember all the wonderful times my sister and I had with Wayne each summer when we spent our week with Aunt Ida. Wayne spent a lot of time with us, playing in the barn, teaching us to ride boys bikes and chasing cows. Wayne was very patient with us and was such a good teacher. I treasure those memories. My deepest sympathy to you and to your (and my) family….
Jean & family,
It was with extreme shock and sorrow to hear of the passing of Wayne (Butch). We can only hope that you & your family will receive some solace in the fact that he was much loved and respected by everyone that knew him. Our prayers are with you. Sincere condolences.