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ARTHUR WILLEMS

ARTHUR WILLEMS

Arthur LaVerne Willems, 83, of Williams passed away peacefully at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA surrounded by family on August 5, 2020. Private family services will be held at a later time with burial in the Williams Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2020 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Williams. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services.

Arthur was born August 17th, 1936 in Mission, TX to John and Ruby Willems. He grew up in Mission, TX and attended Mission High School. Soon after high school he enlisted into the United States Navy and served on the USS Princeton CVS-37 from 1955-1959 and was a 3rd Class Boatswain’s Mate. In 1958 while Arthur was enlisted in the Navy, he met his wife Judy Reynolds in Long Beach, CA. On May 16th, 1959 they married and moved to Williams to live with his brother, Delroy Neubauer, to help with farming. Then in 1964, Arthur and Judy started farming on their own. They had four children: John, Kenneth, Ronald, and Daniel. They made their home on the farm for 20 years before moving to Williams. After the family moved to town, Art started working at the Iowa DOT and retired from there in 1998. In his free time he enjoyed helping Al and Grant Oskvig farm. He also enjoyed gardening, deer hunting, watching the races, and spending time with family.

Art was preceded in death by his son, Daniel, his parents, his brothers Delroy Neubauer and Tommy Willems. He is survived by his wife, Judy, of 61 years; three children, John (Jeanne) Willems of Concord, NC, Kenneth (Becky) Willems of Denison, IA, Ronald (Lanette) Willems of Williams, IA; daughter-in-law Cherrie Willems of Adel, IA and 12 grandchildren: Jessica (Aaron) Creech, Justin (Valorie) Willems, Rachel Willems, Kayla (Colin) Straight, Angie Willems (Dylan), Amanda Willems, Kelani (Jason) Hahne, Jamie (Ty) Griffith, Koreen (Levi) Anderson, Jennifer (Cody) Crouch, Logan (Amanda) Willems, and Hayley (Tyler) Walseth and 17 great- grandchildren. His brother Gordon (Connie) Willems, Mission,TX.