WILLS, JOHN WAYNE, age 76, of Shepherd, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023, at University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor with his wife and family by his side.
A celebration of life for John will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 12 p.m. A luncheon will follow in Reflections Reception Center. Military honors and Burial will take place at Lincoln Township Cemetery following the luncheon. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Michigan Free Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant. Envelopes will be available at Clark Funeral Chapel.
John was born in Manistee, Michigan, January 5, 1947, the son of the late Arthur and Dorris (Hoffman) Wills. Soon after graduating Alma High School (1965). John joined the Army and was assigned to the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division Hell on Wheels in Manheim Germany from 1966-1968. John married Linda Lee Morey on December 6, 1969, at the Peace Lutheran Church of Alma. He worked at Fisher Body for 16 years, then managed M&M Chevrolet Body shop for 16 years, and managed Powell Frame and Collision of Shepherd for 7 years.
John has always loved working on cars and will be remembered for his ability to fix just about anything he got his hands on. He always would lend a helping hand to friends and family. John loved racing cars and could often be found at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex running the ΒΌ mile. He enjoyed spending time on his farm and hunting with his grandchildren. John and Linda traveled all over Michigan on their motorcycle. Every summer John & Linda would make the trek back to Bear Lake Michigan where John grew up on Wills Rd. John would reminisce and tell stories about his childhood memories on the farm he and his siblings were raised on, it was a special time. He was quick witted with a goofy sense of humor that the grandkids loved. John will be greatly missed by many.
John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Wills of Shepherd; children, Gregory (Lisa)
Wills of North Carolina, Marc (Alaina) Wills of Mt. Pleasant, grandchildren, Ayden Wills,
Taylor Wills, Ashleigh (Ryan) Neeland, Alyssa Wills, Ryan Wills; great-grandchildren, Hennessy, Raelynn, Rowan; brother, Grant Wills; sisters, Carol Macartney, Leanne (Steve) Hocquard; brother-in-law: Robert Morey; sister-in-law: Dottie (Jeff) Orr; and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; Father and mother-in-law: Red & Zelpha Morey; brother-in-law, Bruce Macartney; and sister-in-law: Mary Morey.