Eric Roger Willman

Eric Roger Willman returned to his heavenly home on Friday, July 14, 2023. He was 65 years old. Eric was born to Paul and Alpha Willman on October 20, 1957 as the third child in his family. Sadly, Alpha passed when Eric was 7 years old, and he was blessed to be loved and raised by a second mother, Betty Willman, from the age of 9 on. Eric lived his entire childhood into early adulthood in Louisville, Kentucky and graduated from Atherton High School in 1976. Eric, quite unbelievably, attended school from kindergarten to high school graduation without missing even one day of school. His brother, Mike, often threatened in his high school years to kidnap him just for one day so he would mess up his record.

In January, 1980, Eric left to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, California. Eric described these two years as two of the best of his life. He worked hard and grew greatly. After returning home, he spent just five months in Kentucky and then decided he would like to live in California.

He spent happy years in Redondo Beach, California working for a linen company and a pharmaceutical company, but mostly enjoying the California life and good friends he hated to move from. He returned to Louisville and began working for Universal Linen Co. where he worked for 34 years. Again, quite unbelievably, Eric had a 16-year stretch with the company where he did not miss one day of work. He had a great group of work “brothers” whom he dearly loved.

One of Eric’s hobbies was music, specifically playing the piano. He could play so well by ear and loved sharing his talent. He would play for nursing homes on his linen route and for other nursing homes that needed Sunday music. His favorite though was to play for the children in Primary at church. Eric has always loved children and they him. Between children of friends and children at church and nieces and nephews, Eric found great joy in little ones.

Eric also enjoyed old movies, a hobby which he shared and enjoyed with his brother, Paul, Jr. He was an encyclopedia of old movie facts and quotes and would often break out in song at doctor’s appts if one crossed his mind as a nurse might be drawing blood. Much to her amusement. Eric was always friendly. Always said hi and introduced himself. Always a smile and ALWAYS a joke, though it may be a bad one. He was the king of goofy jokes.

Eric was preceded in death by his mother, Alpha Jean Willman; his father, Paul F. Willman, Sr.; his mother, Betty Willman; and his brother and best friend, Paul F. Willman, Jr. He is survived by his sister, Gail Lindberg; his sister-in-law, Janette; his brother Mike (Beverly); his sister Melanie (Jeff) and his brother, Mark (Kim) and a slew of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Eric’s great personality, sense of humor and smile will be sorely missed by all those who loved him. He was a friend to all and a good good soul. He knew what was waiting on the other side, and he looked forward to it with hope and gladness.

A funeral service will be at 11 AM on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home (4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40218).

Visitation will be from 3 PM until 8 PM on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the funeral home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.archlheadyresthaven.com for the Willman family.