Leo Willett

Leo Charles (Charley) Willett passed away September 27th due to natural causes. Born February 21th, 1942 in Great Falls, Montana to Leo and Virginia Willett. He lived his early childhood in Zortman, Montana before moving back to Great Falls where he met his wife Mary Beth (Betsy) Beedle, they celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary earlier this year. He was a US Army Veteran, serving 8 years in the Reserve unit, being honorably discharged in 1970. He graduated from Montana State University (B.S Business Administration) in 1969. A lifelong Bobcat fan, he never missed a chance to return to Bozeman to see his forever SAE fraternity brothers and many friends. After graduating he moved the family to Eugene, OR to start his lifelong career in the lumber industry where he worked for more than 40 years. He stayed in touch with many of his lumber friends and co-workers the rest of his life. He raised his family on the ski slopes, often taking family trips to Montana to visit family and friends, he continued skiing into his 70’s. He went through phases of enjoying running, bicycling, racquetball, walking and hiking. He was never in a bad mood, took great pride in his yard, loved classic country music, nice clothes, a good game of cribbage, a haircut every 2 weeks, telling his many jokes, and a good nap.

He is survived by his wife Betsy Willett, daughter Polly Haverland (Drew), sons Tim (Michelle), Dan (Noelle), sister Claudia Hall, brother George Willett, numerous nieces and nephews and 9 grandchildren. He was not only a great dad, husband, and friend but a fantastic grandpa as all his grandkids loved their “Papa” very much. In his later years he spent many hours following them around watching their sporting events, concerts, graduations, offering advice and never missing a birthday party. The world was a better place with him in it, he will be missed forever by all those who knew him. A funeral and Mass will be held on Monday October 27th , 12 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1201 Satre Street, Eugene, OR. A celebration of his life to follow off site, location TBA.