Leo Willet

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend Leo (Sonny) Robert Willet passed away in the early afternoon on April 6th, 2011. He was 82 years old. At the time of his passing, Leo resided in Ottawa as he had for the majority of his life. Leo Robert Willet was born on January 15, 1929 in Streator, IL to Anne Lucille (Mehall) and Lawrence Eugene Willet. He attended St. Stephens Catholic School in Streator and Streator High School. Leo reminisced about stories of him and his childhood friends and how they would occasionally take an empty freight car as a means of transport from one end of town to the other. Later in his life, Leo felt his call to duty and joined the Air Force near the end of WWII on April 22, 1946 and served in the Pacific region until November 19, 1952. He eventually met Mary Ann Krasnican, also of Streator and they were wed on May 19, 1961. On November 22, 1952, Leo began working for Libbey-Owens-Ford and continued to do so for 36 years, until August 13, 1988. In 1979, Leo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, or MS. It was this disease that Leo never let fully define his life. With every bump in the road that came his way, he merely swerved to avoid it. His positive attitude and tremendous spirit in the way he carried himself resounds with us to this day. Grandpa was one in a million, grandma would always say. He was a member of the American Legion and one of his favorite activities, for as long as most can remember, was to head over to Dunkin Donuts to enjoy his daily cup of coffee and chat with his plethora of friends. He will be remembered fondly by his dutiful and diligent wife Mary Ann, daughter Jacqueline Willet (Roger Coney), grandchildren Ryan and Cody Willet, and Jaide Willet-Coney. His daughter Sandra (Scott) Peicha, of Texas, son Terry (Ronna) Willet, granddaughter, Krystle Willet, all of Ottawa. A sister Beverly "Sis" Willet-Scott, and a brother Lawrence "Punk" Willet both of Texas. He had 2 great-grand children and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Special nephew and family Charles and Nancy Scott II, also of Texas. We would like to thank everyone for all their much needed support in our time of strife. There will be no scheduled memorial service, as this was Leo's final wish. Thinking of others, as he always was, he desired that his body be donated to science so that something may be learned from the disease in which he co-existed with for the majority of his life. Anyone who wishes to extend their condolences can do so by contacting his ever-loving wife, Mary Ann. Any donations can be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. But in earnest, we would like to ask that those who were blessed enough to know Leo's Great Spirit should not mourn his death, but rather celebrate his life. It is in this way that we may all hold a piece of the essence that made him a such a wonderful and admirable man. I will miss you grandpa, love, Ryan. Written by his devoted grandson, Ryan Robert Willet.