Anthony John Willett

Anthony John Willett, known affectionately as Tony to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing at age 73. A memorial will be held at Victor Township Hall in Laingsburg on Sunday, August 3rd at 2pm. Please bring a dish to pass, if you are able.
Born on April 29, 1952, in Salina, Kansas, Tony was a man whose life was defined by his love for his family, his passion for working on cars, playing guitar, coin collecting, and his ever-present optimism even in the face of adversity.
Tony was the beloved son of Joseph and Camilla (Kaba) Willett and grew up alongside his siblings Jodeen, Sam, and Winnie. The Willett's relocated to Michigan during Tony's childhood, a place he would call home for the rest of his life. Tony's early years were spent attending Perry Public Schools, which laid the foundation for his future. His talent for autobody work and his keen eye as a painter quickly became evident, leading to a successful career in the autobody industry. He would often fix up cars and sell them to support his family.
On December 15, 1973, Tony married the love of his life, Donna McDiarmid, in Ovid, Michigan. Together, they built a beautiful life in Laingsburg before moving to Owosso and eventually settling back in Clinton County. Tony and Donna celebrated 52 years of marriage, during which they raised three wonderful children: Terry, Shelly, and Shawn. Tony was a devoted father and took great delight in his role as a grandfather to Shay, Camron, Collin, Sydney, Sophie, and Roxie, and as a great-grandfather to Knox and Lilly.
Tony found joy in the simple pleasures of quiet country life, tinkering on projects, working on cars in the barn, and being surrounded by nature. He loved to help his family with small jobs around the house, or by fixing anything that needed attention. His passion for classic cars was undeniable. He took immense pride in his paint work through the years and even painted his 1967 GTO Royal Bobcat and 1984 Pontiac Firebird in his 70's. He also just rebuilt the GTO engine over the last couple years. As self-taught musician, Tony played the guitar with a natural ease and enjoyed sharing his love for music by playing in various bands over the years. Hearing his son, daughter and grandkids play music and sing brought him immense joy and pride. Tony's coin collecting hobby, particularly his fascination with pennies, was yet another example of his meticulous and patient nature.
He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his children; his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his siblings, Jodeen (Dave) Cromie, Calvin "Sam" Willett, and Winnie (Bill) Borgman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law, Yvonne Willett.
Tony's life was an example of hard work, dedication, and the importance of family. He will be remembered not only for his skilled hands but also for his resilient spirit even when his health began to decline.
The family is being served by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Laingsburg Chapel where online condolences may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhones.com (http://www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com/).