Wesley W. Willoughby

Published April 20, 2018 at 6:57 PM

Wesley William Willoughby, 91, of Iron River, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2018.

He was born in Ashland, WI, on September 10, 1926, to Charles and Marion Willoughby.

Wesley went to school and lived in Iron River until he enlisted in the Army serving in World War II in the South Pacific with the 77th Infantry division.

Wesley was married to Beverly Wedenoja on July 2, 1948 and they celebrated 70 years of marriage before his passing.

He was employed as a millwright at CLM Corp. in Superior and was a union member.

Wesley was a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and a member of Bad River Legion Post 25.

Retiring in 1988, he was able to enjoy his passion of woodworking, making many things for family and friends. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. Family was very important to him. His family was Native American from Odanah and Wesley was so very proud of his ancestors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers, Harry, George, Wallace, Robert, Eugene, Charles, Russell, and Donald; four sisters, Eleanore Hanson, Alice Dodge, Francis Boyle, and Lucille Mockler.

Wesley is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughter, Patricia (John) Shepard of Superior; sons, Dwight (Kathy) of Superior, Jeffrey of St. Paul, MN, and Todd (Kari) of Iron River; 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be on Friday April 27th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. memorial service at Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N 19th St. Rev. H. Duane Aslyn will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435.

Interment will be in Iron River Cemetery.

If desired memorials may be made in Wesley's name to the Alzheimer's Association.

To sign the online guestbook, please go to www.downsfh.com