Clarence William “Bill” Willey, age 69, resident of Deerfield, MO, formerly of Lane, KS, passed away Thursday morning January 19th, 2023, at Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar, MO. He was born July 3rd, 1953, in Garnett, KS to Lloyd Warren Willey and Ester Rebecca Ashburn Willey.
Clarence, “Bill”, or “Billy” was raised in Lane, KS, and graduated from Central Heights in Richmond, KS. Bill would serve thirty-five years in the military before his retirement. Bill spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corp from1972 to 1975, and then he served thirty-two years between the Kansas Army Reserves and Kansas Army National Guard before retiring from the military in April for 2007.
Survivors include his three children, Brian Willey of Louisburg, KS, Jeremy Willey (wife Nikki) of Deerfield, MO, Deedra Doherty (husband Josh) of Columbus, KS; six grandchildren Brooke, Kayla and Carter Willey, Christian Doherty, Haven Cooper, and Neaveh Doherty; his brother David Willey and Helen Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by two brothers Lloyd and Johnny Willey, his sister Sally Willey, a niece Vona Jo Willey, and his parents.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 27th, at the U.S. National Cemetery Fort Scott with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Bill Willey Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
