James Howard Wills

Funeral services for James H. Wills, age 85, of Milaca will be held Friday, February 03, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Stephen Blenkush officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Music will be provided by Cheryl Bailey and Ann Johnson. Casketbearers will be Deon Wills, Shawn Wills, James Wills, Jr., Craig Wills, Corey Wills and Greg Wills. Interment will take place in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Military Honors by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post 178 and Siemers-Hakes VFW Post 10794. James passed away Monday, January 30, 2012 at his home where he spent his entire life. James Howard Wills was born March 01, 1926 to Charles and Petra (Pederson) Wills on the family farm in Hayland Township in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. He attended Hayland Country School. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1944-1946 during WWII. When he came home after being discharged he farmed with his father. He was united in marriage to Virginia Melanson May 27, 1947 in Milaca. After his father passed away, he then took over the family farm. He quit farming in 1965 and then worked for Fingerhut as a coordinator for 25 years, retiring in 1990. He enjoyed his pets (cats and rabbits), bird watching, fishing, hunting, camping, bowling and gardening. James is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife of 64 years, Virginia, of Milaca; four sons, James Wills, Jr. of Jackson, NJ, Donald (Patti) Wills of Milaca, Stephen (Patty) Wills of Princeton and Robert (Ginger) Wills of Milaca; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 1 step-grandson and 3 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter in infancy; granddaughter, Kim Wills; brothers, Maurice Wills and Ed Nordell; sister, Eleanor Odegard and step-grandson, Jeff Hatch.