Richard "Yank" Willetts

Richard “Yank” Willetts, 88, of Coleman, died Friday, December 4, 2020 at Holiday Hill Nursing Home in Coleman.  There will be a funeral service 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Stevens Funeral Home with Mr. Bob Martin, minister of the Elm Street Church of Christ officiating.  Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home, Coleman.

Richard “Yank” Willets was born on February 23, 1932 in Watervliet, New York to John Willetts, Sr. and Matilda Ann Purdue Willetts.  He grew up in Watervliet and graduated from Watervliet High School in 1950.  Yank enlisted in the United States Marines Corps and served during the Korean War.  On May 29, 1954, Yank married Peggy Foust in Yuma, Arizona.  Yank and Peggy moved to Coleman in 1957.  He started working at 3-M in Brownwood when the plant was built and retired after 28 years as Production Supervisor.  Yank enjoyed working in his garden, hunting and fishing.  He was a member of the Elm Street Church of Christ.

Yank is join in heaven by his parents, a daughter, Debra Ann Willetts McKee and two brothers, John Willetts and Ray Willetts.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Peggy Willetts of Coleman; two daughters, Suzan Heitkotter and husband, Marty, of Abilene, Brenda Adamson and husband, Darryl, of Brownwood; nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Starr Willetts of Watervliet, New York and Sandy Seiler of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Memorials in memory of Richard “Yank” Willetts may be made to Coleman Home Health and Hospice, 406 West Elm Street, Coleman, Texas; Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605 or Holiday Hill Nursing Home, P. O. Box 392, Coleman, Texas  76834.

Remembrances, condolences, and messages of comfort can be expressed to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.  Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Willetts family.

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