Willard "Willie" Clapper

Willard “Willie” Clapper, 74, of St. Peter died peacefully Friday November 30th, 2007 while a benevolently cared for patient in the Hospice Program of the St. Peter Community Hospital and the Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital. He courageously battled against the effects of emphysema and lung cancer with his brave, loving, and attentive wife, Toni, by his side every moment of every day. Visitation and memorial services are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday December 5th, 2007 at St. Peter Funeral Home-Klein Chapel in St. Peter. Willie was born July 9th, 1933, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Mary (Aldrich) Clapper and Guy Clapper. Willie has been called Home now to be with his three brothers, Tom, Jack, and Walter, his childhood dog Rusty and pet goat that came to school with him when his was young. He moved to a number of places in his youth as his father was a police and military man. New Hampshire; and in Minnesota, Sandstone, Akeley, Aitkin, Forest Lake. Prior to marriage, he traveled to various states, like Texas, roofing houses and doing carpentry work. His calling, however, was landscaping, as he planted and nurtured many a tree wherever he lived Those trees can be found yet today gracing the land on which they grow. With her model-like beauty and grace, Willie married Margaret “Toni” Bie September 28th, 1957 in Askov, Minnesota. Toni gladly said yes, enchanted with his black, thick, wavy hair and handsome features. They both recall their adventures in Alaska together. Between the long hours of working on the dock, Willie was picking up 200+ pound Halibut for a one dollar bet, or putting smoke bombs in the outside oven as a joke. Toni worked long hours at the cannery, and made homemade bread everyday. Returning back to Minnesota, they decided to adopt a baby girl-Michelle. As a hard-working provider he was employed as a salesman, convenience store manager, baker, and courtesy driver. Friendly to everyone, he always greeted people with a smile and jovial mannerism. Little kids had a special place in his heart, him giving them generous gifts of candy at the store and bags of Lay’s potato chips on Halloween. Willie had a passion for antiques, especially for old cars. Being able to identify make and model by sight, he had special passion for Packards. He enjoyed carpentry, music by Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash, Country and Reminisce magazines, occasional trips to the casino, and football. He enjoyed banana layer cake made by Toni, mince-meat pie-though no one could make it as good as his mother. He and Michelle shared many long walks together with Mitty the dog, motorcycle rides, and building “something” together. He will be remembered by loving wife Toni of 50 years; daughter Michelle (Tim) Fineran of Lake Crystal, MN.; sister Barb(Jerry) Fritz of Siren, WI; sister-in-laws Sylvia (Stan) Hoffman of Kilian, MN and Pat (Jack) Clapper of St. Paul, MN; in-laws their spouses; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. Husband, dad, brother, friend-you are greatly missed. Memorials are preferred to the Make A Wish Foundation (800-722-9474 or www.wish.org) in lieu of flowers.