Arthur Garfield Willey

Arthur G. Willey, III, age 94, of Belpre, OH passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2020. He was born in Wilmington, DE to the late Anna M. Meredith and Arthur G. Willey, Jr. He attended P.S. DuPont High School and at 17 joined the navy. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII and in the U.S. Air Force Reserves during the Korean War. He retired in 1989 as an Instrument Inspector working many years at Shell Chemical Co. in Belpre. In addition to living in Wilmington and Belpre he also lived in Cheyenne WY, Richmond VA, Vincines IN, Ponce Puerto Rico, St. Croix Virgin Islands and Edgewater, FL. Art had a passion for life. He loved his family and was proud of each and every one. He enjoyed boating, flying and spending time on the beaches of NC and Florida. Many weekends he would be found boating on the Ohio River on his cruiser “Lots-a-Sport” and was a member of the Blennerhassett Yacht Club. He had his pilot’s license and while living in DE he would often take skydivers up. He also belonged to flying clubs in Delaware, Indiana,and Puerto Rico. Art was a member of the Parkersburg VFW Post 1212 where he loved singing karaoke and was affectionately known as “Art-the-Fart”. He loved singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and that’s how he lived life. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death in 2007 by his wife of 61 years his “Sweet Lorraine” and two sisters, Gail Purse and Joan Cimini. He is survived by his five loving children Ottie (Daphne) Willey, Atlantic Beach, FL, Rick (Sharon) Willey, Belpre, OH, Mikki (Wendell) Miller, Clermont, FL, Monica (Butch) Digges, Belpre, OH and Robin (Judy) Willey, Anderson, SC. His grandchildren Lori (Brian) Larrabee, Shad (Pam) Willey, Heather (Chad) Forshey, Ryan Miller, Wendy (Dan) Spalinger, Eric (Mary) Miller, Misty Douglass, Jenny (Bruce) Endres, Natalie (Chad) Willey-Gregg, Brent (Erin) Willey and step-grandchildren Penny (Scott) Youse and Michael Jubito; 12 great-grandchildren with two on the way and seven great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Stanton (Barbara) Willey of Clayton, DE and many nieces and nephews. At Art’s request, he will be cremated with no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Old Man’s River of Parkersburg, WV or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The family would like to thank the staff of Heartland of Marietta for the loving care of their father. Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.