Jeffrey Willets

Jeffrey Willets

Jeffrey Douglas Willets went peacefully home to be with the Lord and to hold his baby girl in his arms again. On September 6, 2022, Jeffrey passed away due to his 15 year battle with throat cancer; he was surrounded by his wife and family. Jeff was born on April 3, 1958, at the Toledo Hospital. He was adopted by Robert E. Willets and Mary K. Willets, his loving parents who preceded him in death, along with his baby daughter, Kristen Meghan Willets (April 30, 1981 - March 18, 1985).

Those left to forever cherish his memory are his loving and dedicated wife of 34 years, Katherine Anne Willets; daughter, Ashley; step-sons, James and Michael and his wife Meghan; sister, Robin; and many cousins, grandchildren, friends, and family members.

Jeff attended Whitter grade school and graduated from Roy C. Start High School. Jeff became a certified scuba diver in 1967 and continued to dive down in Florida when visiting with friends. Jeffs favorite place to dive was the Florida Keys. He attended the University of Toledo for two years, before he enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in May 1970, he was a member of the 585th Military Police Company. Jeff did basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and military police training at Fort Gordon, GA. Jeff had expert badge for M-16 rifle and expert badge for M-16 pistol. Jeff continued his work with the National Guard in Florida, 143 Supply Company in Fort Lauderdale. Upon his return to Toledo in 1970, he again entered the University of Toledo. He was also working at the time at Dana Corp. The call for police work was strong, he applied to Sylvania Township Police Department in the fall of 1972, and he was employed by them. He worked for them until February 1973. He decided there wasn't enough action for him at the time, so he decided to take a trip to South Florida to visit with friends and liked the area and decided to put in several applications with different departments in the Fort Lauderdale area. He was hired by the city of Fort Lauderdale Police Department in September 1973, and stayed with them until May 1978. He took some time off to work in the family plumbing company, when he again felt the call to get back into police work. He was hired by the Tamarac Police Department. While working for Tamarac Police Department, Jeff was an expert marksman scoring 299-300 every 6 months for his entire career. Also, while working for the city of Tamarac, he was a police hostage negotiator, where he successfully defused a hostage situation. Also, in pursuit driving, Jeff set the record in the fastest time in the obstacle course consisting of over 30 departments and the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 1989, Broward County Sheriff's Office took over the Tamarac Police Department. He then became a Broward County Sherriff. He remained employed by the Sheriffs until sometime in August of 1991, when he retired, He and his wife, Katherine, decided on a new path and they purchased a beautiful home in Henderson, Nevada, where you could overlook the whole Valley and the beautiful and bold strip. They also purchased a shop right behind the strip, where Jeff could pursue his true love and passion, the restoration of classic cars. Jeff's love of classic cars included, a 1968 Shelby GT 500 K.R, 1969 Shelby GT 500, 1972 Lincoln Mercury Pantera, 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra, 1 of 256 made, 1967 Ford Fairlane R Code (427), and 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7GT-E, which remains with the family. In his shop off the strip, he had a sand blasting business, where he restored classic cars for numerous people, celebrities, including Mario Andretti. Jeffrey restored a Galaxy 500XL and sold it to the Imperial Palace Museum. He was also a concourse judge of 427 Cobras at the National Convention for the Shelby American Automobile Club. In 2009, after his throat cancer diagnosis, he could no longer pursue that type of work. They decided to move back to Toledo for better medical treatment and be close to his mom and many friends. Rest in Peace, Jeffrey. I pray you are looking into Gods eyes, and holding your baby girl in your arms, until we meet again. You are truly the lucky one.

Family and friends may visit at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio 43623, on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 12:00 p.m. Jeff will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park.

A special memory or online condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting

www.NewcomerToledo.com