James Paul "Jim" Willett
July 28, 1944 — April 10, 2013
James “Jim” Paul Willett, 68, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness, on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at his home.
Services will be held Monday, April 15, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by Chaplain Jeremy Hudson. Friends may call Sunday, April 14, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Jim was born July 28, 1944, in Greeneville, Tennessee, to James and Helen (Fortner) Willett. He married the love of his life, Janet Caldemeyer, on November 8, 1963, and they shared 49 wonderful years together.
He worked for Champion Service Station, Pella Construction, FMC-Link Belt, Bruce McGrath, and co-owned Bob Zimmerman Econo Cars for 19 years. He retired in 2006.
Those left to honor his memory are: his loving wife, Janet; one son, Jim (Cindy) Willett II; and three daughters, Renée (Duane) Fenchel, Kathy Willett (Tom Moore), and Lindsay Willett (Mike Todd); ten grandchildren, Kristin, Lauren, Desirée, Dalton, Britney, Brooklyn, Kelsey, Courtney, Corbin, and Addysen; and two great-grandchildren, Mya and Ava; four sisters, Joyce (Darrell) Jellison, Carolyn Starr, Sherry (Doug) Shepard, and Linda (Doug) Berry; one brother, Jack (Linda) Willett; and step-father, Harry Phelps. Also surviving is Jim’s special, long-time friend, Cecil Powell, who stayed at his side through his illness.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jared Lee Willett; his father, James Alfred Willett; his mother, Helen Phelps; and his brother-in-law, and best friend, Sam Caldemeyer.
Jim enjoyed fishing, John Deere tractors, racing cars, and showing his muscle cars at car shows. His greatest joys in life were his children and grandchildren. Jim held a special place in everyone’s heart that had the opportunity to meet him. His humor, infectious smile, and laughter will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A memorial fund has been established.
Services will be held Monday, April 15, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by Chaplain Jeremy Hudson. Friends may call Sunday, April 14, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Jim was born July 28, 1944, in Greeneville, Tennessee, to James and Helen (Fortner) Willett. He married the love of his life, Janet Caldemeyer, on November 8, 1963, and they shared 49 wonderful years together.
He worked for Champion Service Station, Pella Construction, FMC-Link Belt, Bruce McGrath, and co-owned Bob Zimmerman Econo Cars for 19 years. He retired in 2006.
Those left to honor his memory are: his loving wife, Janet; one son, Jim (Cindy) Willett II; and three daughters, Renée (Duane) Fenchel, Kathy Willett (Tom Moore), and Lindsay Willett (Mike Todd); ten grandchildren, Kristin, Lauren, Desirée, Dalton, Britney, Brooklyn, Kelsey, Courtney, Corbin, and Addysen; and two great-grandchildren, Mya and Ava; four sisters, Joyce (Darrell) Jellison, Carolyn Starr, Sherry (Doug) Shepard, and Linda (Doug) Berry; one brother, Jack (Linda) Willett; and step-father, Harry Phelps. Also surviving is Jim’s special, long-time friend, Cecil Powell, who stayed at his side through his illness.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jared Lee Willett; his father, James Alfred Willett; his mother, Helen Phelps; and his brother-in-law, and best friend, Sam Caldemeyer.
Jim enjoyed fishing, John Deere tractors, racing cars, and showing his muscle cars at car shows. His greatest joys in life were his children and grandchildren. Jim held a special place in everyone’s heart that had the opportunity to meet him. His humor, infectious smile, and laughter will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A memorial fund has been established.
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