Joe H. "Bear" Willer

Joe H. "Bear" Willer, 80, of Waverly, N.Y., passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Elderwood Health Care Facility.
He was born on Jan. 21, 1936 in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late Harold and Marion (Teas) Willer. Joe was a retired Captain of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1951 to 1973, and during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
He worked at Leprino's in the Environmental Operations in South Waverly for 20 years, retiring in 2001.
Joe was a lifetime member of Greater Valley EMS in Sayre; a member of the South Waverly Fire Department; the South Waverly Borough Emergency Management Division; a lifetime member of the VFW Post No. 2721 in Cuba, N.Y.; a member of Waverly American Legion Post, the Marine Corp League in Towanda, Pa., and the Marine Corp Mustang Association; a member of the Retired Officers Association; and a member of the AMVETS and the Disabled American Veterans.
Joe was also a member of the following associations: Race Groups of North America, the Sports Car Club of America, Formula One Association, CART, R.S.I., and R.C.A.
Joe is survived by his wife of 20 years, Peggy, at home; children, Lindsay Miller of Cuba, N.Y., Michael and Sarah Ink of Tioga Center, N.Y., Melanie Bellis of Waverly, N.Y., Alisa and Scott Skinner of Midwest City, Okla.; seven granddaughters, four grandsons, four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and he was looking forward to the birth of his new great-granddaughter.
He is predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, William G. and Beverly Willer.
Friends and family may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main St., Athens, Pa. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home with Major Lenny Wacenske from the Salvation Army officiating. Memorial donations may be made in Joe's memory to: South Waverly Fire Department, 57 Pleasant St., Sayre, PA 18840; Greater Valley EMS, 904 N. Lehigh Ave., Sayre, PA 18840; Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive Triangle, VA 22172; or the Salvation Army, 314 South Elmer Ave., Sayre, PA 18840. Those wishing to sign the e-guestbook, send flowers or condolences may do so by visiting www.LoweryFuneralHome.com.