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Norman Willey Obituary
Norman Booth Willey, 95, died, November 6, 2012, in Lafayette. He was born September 6, 1917, in Olive Branch, Mississippi. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois.
In 1940, he graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Physical Education. While at Purdue, he was captain of the wrestling team for two years and on the football and track teams. On October 25, 1941, he married Dora Hale Stong, who predeceased him in 2009. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1940-1946 with 2 ½ years in the South Pacific, where General Douglas MacArthur awarded him the citation for bravery and the Soldiers Medal of Valor. During the war, he was field-promoted to Captain. He remained in the Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. After the War, he earned his Master's degree in Education from Purdue.
He began teaching and coaching at Jefferson High School in 1947. At Jeff he taught 100's of Bronchos how to drive in the driver's education program and later taught physical education until his retirement. He founded the wrestling program at Jeff and was the head wrestling coach until his retirement. He also coached football and baseball at Jeff.
His love of football and Purdue saw him at every Purdue home game for 56 years holding the chain on the sidelines as part of the "chain gang."
After his retirement, he was named to the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame and was named to the Jefferson High School Wall of Fame. During his retirement, he volunteered with his wife for Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry for 27 years.
He enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling, watching his grandchildren's sports, and following Purdue and Jeff athletics on television and radio—often watching one team on television while listening to another on the radio.
He managed the Lafayette Parks swimming pools for 30 summers and could be seen driving his little red Crosley truck to all the pools.
Besides his wife, he was predeceased by his son, William N. Willey, in 2009, and his brother and two sisters.
He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Kenrich (Dale) of West Lafayette and Lexie Schwabel (Ron) of Lutz, Florida. He also leaves three grandchildren: Eli Kenrich (Marjie), Hamilton, Ohio; Erin Kenrich (companion, Raymond Ross), West Lafayette; and Josephine Schwabel, Rochester, New York. His great grandchildren are Allison, Charles, and Mary, Hamilton, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your giving to the N.B. Willey Wrestling Scholarship, Jefferson High School Athletic Department, Jefferson High School, 1801 South 18th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Sunday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Leave condolences at www.soller-baker.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Norman Willey
John Johnson
September 5, 2017
You are a member of the greatest generation. Thank you for your service coach. You're the reason why America is a great country. Men like you are a national treasure. I'll always think of you sir.
Tim Croxton
November 15, 2012
What an unforgettable man. Many happy memories of Coach both at Jeff and working with Cindy, Lexie and Bill at the pool. He is fondly remembered and missed.
November 13, 2012
Cindy and Lexi, Sorry to hear of your loss. Prayerfully he is with his loved ones with Christ. My Dad is deceased but my mom is doing just fine. She winters in Winter Haven, Florida. I do not know where Lutz, Fla is however.. Best to all and may you have a Blessed life.
Janis Minniear Stevens; LaPorte, Indiana
Dave Boyll
November 12, 2012
Coach Willey was such an inspiration to my generation as,evidently, every generation he taught. I admired the way he
lived his life and the way he treated our "Jeff" wrestling and football teams of "56", "57", and "58". We learned by practicing and by playing the games in addition to just having his words of encouragement as we tried our best to be our best. Everyone who ever knew Coach is surely a better person because if his influence.
May he rest in peace.
Tom Croxton
November 11, 2012
Coach Willey was a great influence in my life. He was a great wrestling coach and "boss" at the park pool. I will never forget those years
Rich Scott
November 10, 2012
Sorry Lexie and family for your loss. So many memories of a nice,quiet,friendy man.
Gary Hendricks
November 10, 2012
Lexie, So sorry for your loss. Your dad gave this band jock a chance at wrestling. The experience was an important part of my high school memories.
Denny Brady
November 10, 2012
Lexie blessings to you and your family. We had such a great time at Jeff and your Dad played a great part in all our lives. He will be missed
Dennis Brady
November 10, 2012
Lexie blessings to you and family. We had such great times at Jeff and your Dad was a very big part of it.
Rick Comer, Jeff 1965
November 10, 2012
Lexie, Cindy, Dale and families-- my thoughts are with you today. It was my honor to have known Couch - to wrestle for him and work for him at the pool. I'll never forget the "Pump House Parties" every spring.He will be missed by all who knew him.
William Schilling
November 10, 2012
Sorry to hear my good friend Norman B has past on. Cindy and Lexie I sorry I was unable to make it back to Indiana. Your father was one of my good friends both as a coach and fellow teacher. I will miss him.
Mike Harger
November 10, 2012
He was a good man, taught me how to wrestle, I also worked for him at the pool, he will be missed!
Sandy Gaby
November 9, 2012
Cindy,
Your Dad was such a great guy. I really enjoyed him when I was in his company. Heartfelt thoughts to you, Lexie and your families. Sandy Myers Gaby
David Gregory
November 9, 2012
He was a great man, great coach and teacher. Played football and wrestled for him. Class of 71.
Jim Hurst
November 9, 2012
There was only one wrestling coach at Jeff that "COACH WILLEY". What a privilege to have wrestled for him, worked for him and considered him as a friend. My sympathy to Cindy & Lexie and their families. May he rest in peace.
Mary Dell Nicewander Patchen
November 9, 2012
He played an important part for most of us who went to Jeff and spent our summers at the Columbian Park Pool.
November 9, 2012
I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Willey. He taught my mother and I Drivers Ed. at Jeff High school. Always had me laughing. His life story is very impressive. May God bless his family. sincerely, Charlene Poster Shoemaker
November 9, 2012
My sympathy for your loss. While in school Norm taught me to drive. While in college I worked at the Park Pool. I can still see him driving his red Crosley up Park Ave to home.
David Tom Rankin
November 9, 2012
Occasionally when driving even now, I am reminded of something he taught me over 50 years ago. A good man.
David Rouse
November 9, 2012
So sorry, Lexie. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Jim Hurst
November 9, 2012
There was only one wrestling coach at Jeff and that was "COACH WILLEY". What a privilege to have wrestled for him, worked for him and known him as a friend. Rest in Peace "COACH".
Robert Scherer
November 9, 2012
Will always remember Couch Willey, I played football and wrestled for him, There has never been a lack of respect. Even though I have moved from the area every time I drove down south street and saw him working in the yard the memories instantly returned, thank you Mr. Willey. Robert Scherer class of 77
November 9, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss. He taught me to drive many years ago. Such a patient man with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Deepest sympathies.
Sondra Lindsey
November 9, 2012
A great man, a great educator who I admired. Mr. Willey taught me to drive in 1956 in driver's education at Lafayette Jefferson High School. He always seemed to have me drive across the old Brown Street bridge. One day I told him how much I didn't like driving across it and he laughed and said "close your eyes." Through the years I would look for him outside on his lawn and honk my horn. A GREAT man.
Mark Zello
November 9, 2012
I was always proud to call Norm a neighbor and a friend. He would always give an ear or a hand. He made our block a better place to live. If you were ever able to do something to help him, his gratitude made you hope for the next opportunity to do something for him. This is a big loss for his family, our neighborhood and the town: What a wonderful man! Mark Zello
Cheryl Dixon
November 8, 2012
Mr. Willey was known by all of us kids at Jeff H.S., the park and the pools. He lived a very full life, one I would aspire to and left quite a legacy. Sympathy to your family.
Larry Clugh
November 8, 2012
Not sure that there has been anybody who gave more to the citizens and kids of Lafayette than "COACH". Was a privilege to have played for him, worked for him, and above all learned from him. Rest in Peace.
November 8, 2012
Cindy and Dale, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember staying overnight at your home Cindy (many years ago), and how nice your parents were. You have my deepest sympathy.
Hugs, Karen Hainje Kult
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