George "Jack" John Willer

Born in 1926, in Wappingers Falls, NY, Jack was the oldest of 4 sons born to George John Willer Sr. and Evelyn Wilson Willer. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Buffalo, NY.

Jack graduated from Bennett High School in Buffalo, NY and shortly thereafter proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the USS Marcos Island. After the war, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation he was hired by the Pure Oil Company, where he worked until shortly after it was purchased by Union Oil of California.

Jack married Nancy Jeanne Huguenin in 1947. He pretended to love horses and she pretended to believe him. They raised four daughters in Winnetka, IL: Nancy Lee Willer-Spector of Marco Island; Candace Catherine Willer of Denver, CO; Judy Willer Conley (David) of Portland, OR; and Brandi Anne (nee Sue Anne) Pontin (Duke) of Oahu, HI. Nancy Jeanne preceded Jack in death in 1976.

Jack married Patricia Sear Wright in 1976 and welcomed her children, Jeff Wright (Jane), of Libertyville, IL; Jennifer Wright Wellman of Manhattan Beach, CA; and Harold Wright (Linda) of Villa Park, IL into the family. The couple moved to Marco Island in 1986 where they built their dream home on the waters edge and endlessly marveled at the large flocks of Ibis that flew by in the evenings out to the Rookery Islands in the Marco River.

Jack loved to take his family out on his pontoon boat, fishing and touring the Marco River and waterways. He was a fine furniture craftsman, always building things for family and friends including many pieces in his home that were once featured in a local magazine. He also built an awards cabinet for the Marco Police Department and a mailbox for the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church that is a replica of its steeple.

In addition to Nancy Jeanne, Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Jim, Bob, and Billy.

Jack was kind and generous with his love and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be forever loved and missed by his extensive family including his adoring grandchildren, and dozens of great-grandchildren and even some great-great-grandchildren.