Veikko M Willing
October 24th, 1922 to December 4th, 2013
Veikko M. Willing
Fort Gratiot - Veikko M. Willing, 91, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2013.
He was born October 24, 1922 in the family home in Wakefield, MI to the late Matt and Hulda Willing. He married Veronica C. Krafft on August 2, 1947 in Port Huron, MI. She died January 8, 1999.
Veikko was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees, serving his tour of duty during World War II in the South Pacific on the island of New Guinea. He told many stories of his time in the Navy, his trips to and from New Guinea, the surrounding islands, and the years spent there.
Veikko was a machinist by trade and worked in the Port Huron area all his adult life, retiring from Mueller Brass after 32 years of service where he was well known for his attention to detail and perfection. He also spent a few years after retirement working for PMR in the Port Huron Area. He was, in his earlier years, an avid fisherman, spending countless hours fishing with friends along the shores of the St. Clair River. He loved to golf when time allowed, spent days in his garden where he and his neighbors grew everything imaginable, and loved woodworking on days that couldn’t be spent outdoors. In his later years he enjoyed traveling and vacationing with his children, going from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between. He enjoyed his children as much as they enjoyed him. His final years were spent feeding and watching wildlife and enjoying the beauty that nature provides.
Veikko, or Vic, as he was known to everyone, is survived by his seven children, Dennis (Paula) Willing of Richmond, VA, Gary (Sue) Willing of North Street, MI, Mary (Bernd) Willing-Ratfisch of Fort Gratiot, MI, Sally (Tom) Sayre of Port Huron, MI, Jayne (Bob) Click of Port Hope, MI, James (Shelley) Willing of Caro, MI, and Gail (Daniel) Koss of Avoca, MI. He is also survived by a brother Waino (Betty) Willing of Port Huron, MI, 18 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren and numerous very special nieces and nephews, all which he cherished dearly. He was a kind and gentle man who was liked and loved by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by all. He was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters, and two grandsons.
Visiting hours will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2013 at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 9, 2013 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. The Reverend Mark Madson will officiate.
Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the United States Navy and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council.
A luncheon will be held immediately following at the Eagles Lodge, 2645 Howard St. Port Huron.
Memorials for Mr. Willing may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association or the Veteran’s organization of your choice.
Fort Gratiot - Veikko M. Willing, 91, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2013.
He was born October 24, 1922 in the family home in Wakefield, MI to the late Matt and Hulda Willing. He married Veronica C. Krafft on August 2, 1947 in Port Huron, MI. She died January 8, 1999.
Veikko was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees, serving his tour of duty during World War II in the South Pacific on the island of New Guinea. He told many stories of his time in the Navy, his trips to and from New Guinea, the surrounding islands, and the years spent there.
Veikko was a machinist by trade and worked in the Port Huron area all his adult life, retiring from Mueller Brass after 32 years of service where he was well known for his attention to detail and perfection. He also spent a few years after retirement working for PMR in the Port Huron Area. He was, in his earlier years, an avid fisherman, spending countless hours fishing with friends along the shores of the St. Clair River. He loved to golf when time allowed, spent days in his garden where he and his neighbors grew everything imaginable, and loved woodworking on days that couldn’t be spent outdoors. In his later years he enjoyed traveling and vacationing with his children, going from Florida to Alaska and everywhere in between. He enjoyed his children as much as they enjoyed him. His final years were spent feeding and watching wildlife and enjoying the beauty that nature provides.
Veikko, or Vic, as he was known to everyone, is survived by his seven children, Dennis (Paula) Willing of Richmond, VA, Gary (Sue) Willing of North Street, MI, Mary (Bernd) Willing-Ratfisch of Fort Gratiot, MI, Sally (Tom) Sayre of Port Huron, MI, Jayne (Bob) Click of Port Hope, MI, James (Shelley) Willing of Caro, MI, and Gail (Daniel) Koss of Avoca, MI. He is also survived by a brother Waino (Betty) Willing of Port Huron, MI, 18 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren and numerous very special nieces and nephews, all which he cherished dearly. He was a kind and gentle man who was liked and loved by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by all. He was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters, and two grandsons.
Visiting hours will be from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2013 at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 9, 2013 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. The Reverend Mark Madson will officiate.
Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the United States Navy and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council.
A luncheon will be held immediately following at the Eagles Lodge, 2645 Howard St. Port Huron.
Memorials for Mr. Willing may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association or the Veteran’s organization of your choice.
No Upcoming Events
Document Actions