Gary L. Willey

Gary L. Willey

Gary L. Willey 83, of Lincoln passed away on September 2, 2024. Gary was born in Hebron, NE, raised in Hastings, NE and relocated to Minneapolis, MN in 1973. He returned to Nebraska, residing in Lincoln in 1982. He was married in 1964 to AlyceRae (Leetsch) and leaves three children and five grandchildren.

Gary worked in various capacities for Century Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, MN starting as a 'direct to farm' on the road salesman. He was promoted to District Manager, Regional Manager, Division Manager, National Sales Manager and finally, became Vice President of Sales & Marketing in 1976. During the nine years Gary was with Century, sales rose from $18,000,000 to over $50,000,000 and Century became the world's largest manufacturer of welders and battery chargers.

Gary served a total of 9 years in the US Army, Army Reserve, and the Air National Guard. He received honorable discharges from both the Army and Air Force. He was involved with many organizations, including past President of the National Satellite Dealers Association, past member of the National Installer Board of Hughes Network Systems, past member of the National Dealer Board for Music Choice, past board President of the Nebraska Stroke Foundation, past member of Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, serving as chair of their Small Business Committee in 2004.

In the Executive Club of Lincoln, Gary served as program chair in 2005, was elected Vice President and President in 2006, Vice President and President again in 2012, and repeated as Vice President in 2019.

Gary was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA and served as a member of the session and was also a Deacon.

Gary founded and served as President and CEO of Midlands Suppliers, Inc. which was the largest business satellite services company in the Midwest. He also founded and was President and CEO of Midland Music, Inc., providing background music services to business, and was also President and CEO of Gary Willey & Associates, Inc. a marketing company serving business nationwide. He was a Docent at the Museum of American Speed for over 14 years.

He owned and raced a B gas dragster in the 60's and raced motorcross in the 70's. Gary was also an instrument rated private pilot with nearly 1,500 hours and over 1000 hours actual instrument flight. Gary's latest focus was on their Class A, 42' motor home, and he and AlyceRae spent their winters in Arizona. He was also a classic car lover and member of the "Rebels" Car Club in Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Helen (Kuska) Willey of Hastings.NE. He is survived by his wife, AlyceRae (Leetsch) Willey, son Randall and daughter-in-law Angie (John) Willey, daughter Pamela, son Steve and daughter-in-law Shannon (Francis) Willey, and a sister Judy Groetzinger (Willey) and brother-in-law Roger Groetzinger.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 8300 East Pointe Road., Lincoln, NE. Memorials to the family for future designation.

Condolences online at Roperandsons.com