James Alan Willetts

James Alan Willetts, age 75, of Centerville, IA, passed away on Friday, December 2, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones at his home, under the care of EveryStep Hospice. Jim was born on June 25, 1947, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ottumwa, IA, to Kenneth and Margaret Jennette (Ewers) Willetts. He grew up attending school and graduated from the Albia High School with the class of 1965. Following high school, Jim studied Industrial Arts at Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, MO, graduating in 1969. On December 29, 1968, he was united in marriage to Marsha “Marti” Stewart at the First Christian Church in Albia. Jim and Marti were blessed with two children, Kristine and Michael. They shared nearly 54 years of marriage prior to Jim’s passing. Upon graduating from college, Jim taught Industrial Arts. He then went to work for John Deere Ottumwa Works in the tool and die room, where he worked for 42 years before retiring in 2014. Jim and Marti also owned the Ewers store on the Albia square from 1981-1993, earning a Business of the Year award and becoming the fifth generation to run the family store. Jim and Marti were one of the Albia Apartment Cliff Dwellers featured in the Iowan magazine article. They were very active in Albia events, including Restoration Days and the Victorian Stroll. Jim was a past member of the Masons and the Rotary Club. In his younger years, he was active in Boys Scouts. Jim was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He was a great marksman who loved shooting and even had his own range at home. He and Marti were very active members of the Fort Des Moines Rangers where they enjoyed participating in Single Action Shooting Society (SASS). Jim’s SASS alias was Wolf Crick Willie. Jim enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and canoeing the Boundary Waters. He also enjoyed sailing, flying with his Uncle Rich, horses, model airplanes and trains, and reading. He was proud of his Celtic Heritage and had an appreciation for the songs of the Irish Rebellion and bagpipes. Jim was very talented and could fix anything. He loved animals and had many dogs over the years, including Bear, Captain, Bart, Ranger, Sherman and Tango. Jim’s family was everything to him and he cherished all of the time he spent with them, especially his grandchildren. Jim is survived by his wife, Marti of Centerville; two children, Kristine Eyheralde of Centerville and Michael (Katerina) Willetts of Urbandale; five grandchildren, Katie (Jake) Suther of Waukee, and Kethryn (Jon) Eyheralde-Just of Ramsey, MN, and Emily Eyheralde, Samantha (Merylissa) Sanders, and Madelyn Sanders of all Centerville; two siblings, David Willetts of Richfield, MN and Jennette (Phillip) Robinson of Prior Lake, MN; and two nieces, Beth A Robinson of Minneapolis, MN and Sara (Timothy) Johnson of St. Paul, MN. Jim is also survived by numerous cousins and good friends. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Margaret Jennette Willetts and several uncles, aunts and cousins. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Jim’s family present to greet family and friends. A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the Green Room in Centerville, IA (400 E. Green St.) A private family burial will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for a scholarship in Jim’s name.

James Alan Willetts

June 25, 1947 - December 2, 2022