John M. Willem III, 79, Hays, died Friday, April 19, 2024 at his home.
He was born March 9, 1945 in Barrington, Illinois, the son of John M. Jr. and Lois (Hedrick) Willem. John graduated from high school in New York and served in the U.S. Navy. On July 31, 1999 he was united in marriage to Charlene A. Werth in Hill City and they celebrated nearly 25 years of marriage. He was a city bus driver in Denver, Colorado, and following retirement, he worked part-time hauling grain for local farmers. John enjoyed train museums and working on G Scale electric trains.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene of Hays, his children, April Willem and Angel Cook and husband Tom, all of Aurora, CO, Michael Bollig and wife Staci of Salina, Sean Bollig of Topeka, and Melissa Riconti of Ellis, two sisters, Ann Martin of Essex, CT and Wendy Cummins of Pound Ridge, NY, a brother-in-law, Terrence Werth and wife Patricia of Bradshaw, NE, fourteen grandchildren, Tiffany, Casey, and Kendra Dalton, Candace Bollig, Brandon Bollig and wife Christen, Brittany Bollig, Carter Bollig, Kelli VanLoenen and husband Taylor, Kaitlynn Boxum and husband Colton, Kole, Kyler, and Kayla Roberts, Benjamin and Emily Upton, six great grandchildren, and his best friend, Moon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Sue Martinson, and two brothers-in-law, Jim Martin and Richard Cummins.
No services are planned. Memorials are suggested to the Ellis Railroad Museum. Arrangements are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and condolences and memories of John may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com.