Stuart A. “Stu” Willits, 74, Atalissa
Obituaries · October 13, 2016
Stuart A. “Stu” Willits, 74, passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at his home in Atalissa.
Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, at the West Liberty Community Center, 1204 North Calhoun St. Visitation was Sunday from at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. A memorial fund has been established. Burial with military honors will be held in the Oakdale Cemetery in Wilton.
Stuart was born Dec. 14, 1941, the son of William Arnold and Anna (Hartman) Willits. He was proud to say he received the last diploma presented by the New Boston High School before its closing in 1960. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 until 1964. On Aug. 12, 1993, he was united in marriage to Wilma “Bunny” VanDusen Axsom in Muscatine. Stu had worked as a tugboat captain for several years on the Mississippi River, in the maintenance department with the Aledo Hospital and later Heinz in Muscatine, four years in American Samoa with Starkist and most recently served as the project manager for the jail expansion for Muscatine County.
He enjoyed flying model airplanes and riding his motorcycle, he was a pilot, and his greatest joy was following his children and grandchildren in all their activities. He also loved traveling to the Black Hills, history, reading and his dog, Sally.
Survivors include wife Bunny of Atalissa; five children: Tony (Andrea) Tharp of Penny Farms, Fla., Cindy (Mark) Becker of Atalissa, Rob (Kim) Axsom of West Liberty, Ronda (Corie) Peterson of West Liberty and Renee (Brandon) Harned of West Liberty; 12 grandchildren: Josh, Sara, Tyler, T.J., Brett, KyLeigh, Seth, Hayley, Morgan, Brookelyn, Brittney and Kenley; two great-grandchildren; and sister Madge Douglas of Monmouth, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dixie and son Shawn.
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