James A. Willey

James A. Willey, 78, of Fremont, passed away on March 3, 2025 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on September 13, 1946 to the late Harold and Enora (Keiffer) Willey. 

Jim grew up working for his parents' farm equipment dealer, Fremont Implement Company. He graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1964, and earned his BBA from the University of Toledo in 1969. That same year, he married the love of his life, Ruth "Babe" Randolph, with whom he would share over 38 years until her passing in 2008. 

After graduating, he taught sixth grade for several years at St. Ann's School. In the mid-80's, he returned to UT to earn his MBA and pursue a PhD in Higher Education. He worked as an instructor at Terra State Community College before settling into the administration side. He retired in 2008 as an Associate Dean and Academic Advisor. 

Jim had a passion for restoring classic cars and was particularly fond of his 1948 Kurtis-Kraft Midget race car, which won Best In Class at the Lime Rock Concours in Connecticut in 2021. He enjoyed many evenings with his Monday night car group. He loved to travel, treating three of his grandsons each to their own trip to Kennedy Space Center, and most recently trekking across the globe to Tokyo to introduce his eldest grandson to his youngest. 

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, John R. (Lori) Willey of Fremont, and Robert J. (Mikie) Willey of Tokyo, Japan; grandchildren, Isaac, Aaron, Owen, and Francis; good friend and fellow Croghan Alum Jennifer Feick, as well as many friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Enora; wife, Ruth; and siblings, Joanne (Ted) Hilty and Richard (Barbara) Willey. 

Visitation for James will be held on Thursday, March 6 from 4:00-6:00PM and for an hour prior to services on Friday, March 7 from 10:00-11:00AM all at the Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, Fremont. Services will begin at 11:00AM on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. 

Donations in Jim's name may be made to the Terra College Foundation. 

Herman-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Crematory, Fremont is honored to be assisting the Willey family during this difficult time.