LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – John K. “Jack” Willey, age 94, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sept. 23, 2015, in Clearlake Park.

Jack is survived by his children, John Baines Willey and Mary Jo Garrett, of Clearlake; his grandchildren, Nicole (Danny) McKay of Clearlake, Joel Garrett, Jennifer Garrett and Lenny Steinmetz (Melinda), all of Clearlake Park, Michele Steinmetz (Stan) of Indianapolis, Ind., and Danny Steinmetz (Marie) of Rocklin, Calif. He also has eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Willey in August of 1995.

Jack was born on Nov. 26, 1920, in Hanley, Saskatchewan, Canada to parents Arthur Willey and Cora Lee (Martin) Willey.

In May 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 339th Infantry Regiment as a Light Machine Gunner.

During his two years in the Army he was deployed to Po Valley, Northern Apennines, North Africa and Northern Italy. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the WWII Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He is truly a hero of the “Greatest Generation.”

Jack, whom his family called “Papa,” was a great family man, and a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He married Beth in San Francisco and the couple raised their children in Pacifica, Calif., where they lived until they moved to Clearlake Park in 1982.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Jack had a 44-year career with Bethlehem Steel in San Francisco, as a welder, a welding supervisor and retiring as a department head.

Jack was a social, active man, and he and Beth were involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars for many years, of which he was a lifetime member. He was also a member of The American Legion and the Loyal Order of the Moose.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  His family and friends will always remember him as a very generous person and a man who loved to smile and tell stories of his travels all over the United States and Canada. 

Jack and Beth were very graceful dancers and are now dancing together in the hereafter. His family will miss this wonderful man who was loved and admired by many.

Jack will be interred with his wife at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo, Calif.