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Died:
- Obituary for Frank Wilson Willett, Col. USA Ret.
Frank was born in Pittsburgh, PA where he spent the first part of his life. As a teenager he moved around with his US Navy family prior to beginning college education. He died at home in Sarasota, FL on June 14, 2018 at the age of 86.
Frank?s parents, Bea and Ray Willett pre-deceased him, as did his Sister, Suzanne Baas. He was also pre-deceased by his son, Scott Willett in 1993.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Remle (Bunny), his son Mark (Cyndi), his grandsons Ray (Jessica) and Ryan (Alyssa) and his great grandchildren, Matthew, Jane, RayLynn and Daniel. He is also mourned by his long-term caregivers and friends, Deb Blackwood, Denise Lowery, Durene Kirkland, Jim Edgar, Jim Haws, Bill Sowers and the remaining members of 1957 Co. D-1 at West Point.
A dedicated military an, Frank enlisted in the Navy when he turned 17 and then attended the US Naval Academy. He joined the US Air Force to attend a military prep school to earn a competitive appointment to West Point. He received a congressional appointment to West Point and left the prep school to complete his Air Force service as an enlisted man. He graduated from West Point in 1957. In 1965 he received a MA Degree in Literature to prepare him to teach English at West Point. In 1970 he went into the Army Reserves/National Guard to finish his 35 years of service. His best assignments were Commander of an Engineering Battalion in Kingston, NY, graduation from Command and General Staff College, and Troop Commander and Assistant Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National Guard.
In his civilian life he was a real estate appraiser until retirement in 2002. He was active in many organizations including Rotary where he was Club President and Chaired the Youth Exchange program bringing many foreign students to Southwest Florida. He served as President of the Navy League in Cape Canaveral and Sarasota and was a puppy raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs. He enjoyed sailing at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and hiking the Florida Trail while he was still able.
A Celebration of life will be held at St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL 34242 at 4 PM, Friday June 29th with inurnment at the end of the service. There will be a reception in the church parish hall immediately following.
Donations to Southeastern Guide Dogs,4210 77th St. East, Palmetto, FL 34221, or St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 in lieu of flowers.
Funeral arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel.
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1931 - 2018 (86 years)
