Christian Biography of Samuel Wilson Willett, Jr.

Samuel Wilson Willett, Junior was born July 12, 1923, in Bostwick, Nebraska, to parents Samuel Wilson Willett Sr. and Agnes Amanda Hayes. He passed away on March 14, 2016 at the Republic County Hospital at Belleville, Kansas at the age of 92 years, 8 months, 2 days.

Over his lifetime, Sam lived in Bostwick, Mount Clare, Nebraska, and a little time in Wichita, Kansas, but Superior, Nebraska was his long-time home.

At just 12 years old he met the love of his life, Virginia Sloane, when the Willetts moved in down the road. Virginia was a year older, and they shared the same birthday. On October 1, 1942, when they were just 19 and 20, they married, and celebrated almost 70 years of marriage before Virginia died in 2012.

Sam attended Mount Clare high school through his early teens. In his teens and during his early married life he was known as the "fastest corn shucker in the land," earning 10 cents a day. He then was a harvest worker and farm hand before becoming an over-the-road trucker. He worked for Hank Frear – Superior Transfer, Herman Brothers and others during his years as a truck driver. At 62, Sam attempted to retire, but was back at work less than six months later. His last job was driving a truck for Transwood until he signed off at 86 years old.

Sam was a member of the teamsters union and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Superior.

A lover of horses Sam raised multiple beautiful paints over the years, most out of his prize mare, Ginger who was boarded at Sam and Virginia's Dog Farm south of Superior. It was on this small plot where Sam and Virginia spent countless hours on a true labor of love - their garden and watermelon farm.

Sam was preceded in death by his wife Virginia and two sons, Richard Lee and Donald Eugene Willett. He is survived by his daughters Pennie Elaine Timberlake (married to Robert Timberlake, Mitzie Marlene Willett, Cindy Sue Perez, and son James Earl Willett (married to Dana Ware Willett), and daughter-in-law Angela Ridle Willett.

Of the twelve Willett siblings, Gordon, Ruth, Earl, Buford, Arlene, Norma, Sam, Lois, Willene, Shirlene, Joyce, and Glen, only Shirlene Kendall, of Lincoln, Nebraska, survives.
Grandchildren include Audra Sue Haskins, Darren Wilson Willett, Emily Anne Kirchhoff, Sarah Faye Vier, Eden Elaine Shuck, David Brody Shuck, Virginia Lee Perez, Katherine Michelle Moffett, Samuel Wilson Willett III, and Benjamin Hayes Willett. Additionally, Sam leaves behind twelve great grandchildren: Tanner and William Haskins; Sloan, Sydney and Donnie Willett; Dereck Kirchhoff; Riedar Vier & Mitzi Mitchell, Cindrich Perez, and Liam, Elin and Asher Shuck.

Fiercely loyal, Sam Willett put family ties and friendships before all else in life, and would give his last dollar and his last breath before seeing someone he loved suffer.

Memorial services were held on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11:00 am from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Nebraska with Pastor David Johnson officiating. A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, Nebraska.

Memorials may be made to Beulah Cemetery Association in care of Ann Willett, 526 North National St. 68978

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.