William Ross Willett

October 23, 1941 - November 20, 2018

William R. "Bill" Willett age 77 of Dixon died Tuesday Nov. 20, 2018 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. He was born Oct. 23, 1941 in Dixon the son of Ross and Mary Jane (Oswald) Willett. Bill owned and operated Bill's Plumbing and Heating in Dixon from 1972 until his retirement. Bill volunteered for and was very active in the JayCees and was awarded JCI Senate Membership #17398. In 1972 he led the drive to purchase the first ambulances for the Dixon Fire Dept. In 1973-1974 he was awarded Outstanding Illinois JayCees Northwest Regional Director. and in 1975-1976 was awarded outstanding JCI Senate Director. He served as Illinois JCI President in 1974-1975 and was number one recruiter in the nation. He was inducted into the Illinois JayCee Hall of Fame in 2001. He had also served as JCI Railsplitter Corps Commander. Bill served as Illinois JCI pin chairman for many years and was also a founding member of the Illinois JCI Foundation Scholarship fund. Bill was a NASCAR fan and loved collecting beer steins and Hot Wheels. He enjoyed honky tonk music, going to flea markets and watching television shows about antiques. Bill married Karen Anderson Sept. 30, 1961 at St Anne Catholic Church in Dixon. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Susan Hohlen and infant brother John Ross Willett. Bill is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Wendy Willett, son in law Kent Hohlen all of Dixon, grandchildren Justin (Christy) Hohlen of Rantoul, IL and Lexie Hohlen of Dixon. Cremation rites have been accorded and there will be no services. Memorials have been established to Illinois JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship Fund and Serenity Hospice and Home.