Willowdean Bruckner

XENIA -- Willowdean "Willy" Bruckner, 82, of Xenia, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2025. She was born on October 18, 1942, to the late Charles and Eileen (Bowman) Rench.

Willy grew up in Darke County with her sister Susan and brother Jeff. She graduated from Arcanum High School in 1960 and moved to California in her 20s where she married Tom Hill and became stepmom to her beloved children, Tommy and Heather. Willy moved to San Luis Obispo after her second husband, Pete Bruckner, passed from cancer. She returned to Ohio in 2000, reuniting with family and friends.

Willy was happy on her own, which made it especially meaningful to see her enjoy 15 years in Arcanum, OH with Ron Myers, her loving companion who passed away last year. Together, they traveled around the country, attended horse races, spent time with family and friends, and played games-truly making the most of their golden years together. Willy and Ron were members of SonRise Church in Ithaca, where they found community and fellowship.

Willy was a valued employee as a bookkeeper for businesses, but her work brought her something just as important-lifelong friends. Willy will be remembered for her generosity and contagious chuckle that could brighten even the hardest times. She had great taste in food, travel, fashion, and humor. She loved decorating for Christmas, enjoying delicious meals, and having her beloved dog Dixie on her lap. Willy was spontaneous and always ready to help-whether assisting friends with moves, providing transportation to medical appointments, or simply meeting up for pizza or a movie.

Willy is survived by her brother, Jeff Rench; her son, Tommy Hill, and his wife, Anne-Marie; her daughter, Heather Hill; her grandson, Stanley Hill, and his daughter Blayze Laysa-Hill; her nieces, Darla Gray and Roxanne Miller; and her nephews, Chad Miller and Grant Boggs.

In a final act of generosity, Willy donated her body to Wright State University, where she will be honored with a memorial brick in their garden.

A virtual memorial service will be held on October 26th. Details will be posted on Willy's Facebook page. Willy was beloved, and she will be deeply missed.