Brian Keith Willich

Brian Keith Willich, 32, of Gardner, Kansas, died suddenly in an automobile accident on March 30, 2005. He was the only son born to Keith and Jean Gordon Willich on January 9, 1973, at the Horton Community Hospital. He was an Eagle Scout who graduated from Horton High School and Brown Mackie College in Overland Park, KS, where he loved being on the basketball teams. Brian served proudly in the United States Navy as a weapons specialist, and as a Union Steward at UPS in Lenexa, KS, where he was employed. He is survived by his parents, Keith & Jean Willich of Horton; daughter, Elizabeth, of his home; the love of his life, Paulette, and her children, Shawna and Joshua; two sisters, Joy Willich of Horton, and her two sons, who adored Uncle Brian, his second sister, Kerry Velilla and her husband, Fernando of Lawrence, KS. Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Myrton and Ruth Gordon of Horton; Henry and Gladys Willich of Mercier, KS. Brian enjoyed being with family and friends, fishing, cooking waffles that would always stick, traveling, eating out and tinkering with vehicles. He was the sensitive little boy who cried with his mom through episodes of "Little House on the Prairie" and grew into a man who spent his life protecting and serving his family, his friends and country. The family suggests memorials to the Brian Willich memorial fund to be designated later and may be sent in care of the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary, 909 Central Ave., Horton, KS 66439. Brian will be greatly missed by his family and friends.