Wayne L. “Butch” Willis

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.