Willis Volz

Willis Volz, age 92 of Neillsville, WI died January 6, 2022 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Neillsville. 

Willis Linton Volz was born on November 18, 1929 on the home farm on Pray Road in the town of Washburn, Clark County, Wisconsin. He attended rural schools and then worked for local dairy farms until his marriage to Velda Jean Lewerenz on June 11, 1949.

Willie was a mechanic and over the years he worked for Svetlik Ford, Fel-Gross, Wall’s Deep Rock and Gross Motors before retiring in 1995. He then worked parttime until 2015.

Willie loved the peace and solitude of the woods. He was an avid hunter and fisherman on Yellow Lake and Lake Arbutus, and even at the age of 90 he was still cleaning out the gutters on his house.

He is survived by his children, Sally (Mike) Smith of Neillsville, WI, Sandy (Ken) Ryczek of Pardeeville, WI, Grandchildren, Luke (Kristin) Smith of Neillsville, WI, Lacy Smith of Eau Claire, WI, Sheila (Ed) Roberts of Jacksonville, FL, Amanda (Christopher) Ryczek Rogers of Plymouth, MN and Brittany (Michael) Beall of Waukesha, WI. He is also survived by 6 great grandchildren, Mackenzie Smith and Cashton Smith, Christopher and Casey Bettis, Bethany Roberts and Andrew Beall. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, Rodger Northup of Pickerel, WI and a sister-in-law, Jan Volz of Sun City, AZ, along with many nieces and nephews.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Velda Jean, who died on October 8, 2021. He was also the last survivor of his 10 siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, George, Harry, Lester, Gerald, Wilber and Raymond and sisters, Marcella, Florence, Delores and Iva Lou.

A Memorial Service for Willie will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Terry Marg will officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m., to 12:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Willie’s family with Funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.