Richard C. “Dick” Willey Jr., 75, of LaGrange, died Sunday, October 28, 2012, with his family at his side, at West Georgia Medical Center.
Dick was born July 2, 1937, in Ellsworth, ME, to Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Willey Sr. He was raised in Maine and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1955. He went on to Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Economics. He joined Deering-Milliken & Co. (later Milliken & Co.) upon graduation and began a 40-plus year career in textiles. He served in Maine, South and North Carolina and Georgia (Alma and LaGrange). He retired in 1999. He married the former Jane Hartzell of Bar Harbor, ME, in 1958.
Dick was a member of the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange and the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class for 41 years. He served on many boards, committees and special projects. He was a past member of the Goodwill Board and the American Heart Association Pad Committee that obtained and distributed AED’s (Automatic External Defribillators) to all Troup County First Responders, Troup County schools and to some sports venues. He was a 20-year member of the LaGrange Lions Club. Dick was a 28-year member of the West Georgia Health Heart Rehab.
Besides his wife of 54 years, Jane Willey, he is survived by three children, Richard (Maria) Willey III of LaGrange, Susan (Drew) Mead of Kennesaw and Michael (Tracy) Willey of Pine Mountain; seven grandchildren, Whitney (Jason) Farmer of Swainsboro, Elizabeth “Libby” Willey of Swainsboro, Andrew Mead of Kennesaw, Sara (Nick) Mead Chicarello of Oak Harbor, WA, Molly Mead of Kennesaw and Nicholas and Christopher Willey of Pine Mountain; four great-grandchildren, Jace and Milly Farmer, and Hunter and Emma Jane Chicarello; two sisters, Joan (Jerry) West of Woodstock, VA, and Karen (Walter) Bunker of Ellsworth, ME; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Rollins and a niece, Karen West Rhodes.
The family will gather at the funeral home to receive friends on Tuesday, October 30th from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Harold Lawrence and the Rev. Helen Freeman Henry officiating. Burial will follow in Shadowlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange or the American Heart Association in memory of Richard C. “Dick” Willey Jr.
Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange. (706) 884-8636 www.shlagrange.com
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