Edward "Mike" C. Willey Jr.

South Royalton, Vermont: Edward "Mike" C. Willey, Jr died on July 24, 2020 after a period of declining health. Mike was born June 8, 1946 in Lancaster, NH the son of Edward C. Willey Sr. and Cassanna (Frost) Willey. He was raised and attended Elementary School in Jefferson, NH. In the fall of his sophomore year of High School, Mike, finished school to assist his mother with managing their family business; Jefferson Nursing Home. In 1969 he became a Certified and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Following his marriage to Joyce (Austin) Willey, he and Joyce owned and operated Country Village Health Care Center in Lancaster, NH. Mike and Joyce had five children; two sons and three daughters. He was a Senior Warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and served three terms as a NH State Representative. Later he moved to southern Vermont where he owned and operated a Country Store and Apothecary. In 2005 he relocated to the Upper Valley of VT where he and his friend Cassidy built their home overlooking the White River in South Royalton. He worked as a Manager at the Maplefields Store in Woodstock, VT for over ten years. During this time, he made several social connections with those in the community. Mike was known for is outgoing, friendly personality which made him well loved by those who knew him. After his retirement in 2017, he spent countless hours working in his perennial garden which he developed over the years. Mike enjoyed keeping up with the news, doing word search puzzles, cooking, spending time with his partner's family, and relaxing on the patio with Beatrice, his Jack Russel Terrier. He is very well known for his good sense of humor which brought laughter to any situation. He was friendly with many and never met a stranger. Mike enjoyed traveling for vacation to Florida and the coast of Maine or "just getting lost on a country drive." However, his true place of comfort was his home. His laugh, sense of humor, kindness and caring will be missed by all those who were close to him. The Willey Family would like to extend their gratitude to the Care Team at The Gardens at Gettysburg, in Gettysburg, PA where Mike spent his final days. There attentiveness and loving care is greatly appreciated. Mike is survived by one son, Kevin Willey and wife Sandy, of Lancaster, NH; a daughter, Kris Willey of Lebanon, NH; a daughter, Andrea Willey and wife Karen of Littleton, NH; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a sister Mae (Ayer) Holden and husband Baxter of Salisbury, NH; a sister Clara (Willey) Whitney and husband Burleigh of Big Lake, AK, nieces, nephews and several other extended family members. Mike was predeceased by his parents; an infant sister, Geraldine; brothers, John "Jack" Ayer and Edward Stevens; son, Joel Willey; granddaughter, Rheba "Aine" Reynolds; and daughter, Michelle (Willey) Barrows. A private service is being held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Fund for the Brattleboro Retreat, PO BOX 803 Brattleboro, VT 05302 www.brattlebororetreat.org

Edward "Mike" C. Willey Jr.

June 8, 1946 - July 24, 2020