Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010

Bryant Elroy Willms

Bryant Elroy Willms, 70, Lee’s Summit, died at his home March 9, 2010.

Bryant was born October 28, 1939 in Union County, S.D. to Frank and Daisy (Britton) Willms. He served his country in the United States Air Force during Vietnam. He was united in marriage to Carole Faith Nelson on April 1, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nev. He was a self-employed accountant. Bryant was Lutheran by faith and loved fishing and playing the organ. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Lee’s Summit, the president of the Summit Station Homeowners Association and belonged to the Wildlife Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Shay.

Survivors include his wife Carole, of the home; children, Michael and Martie Donovan, Upland, Calif., Stacy Willms, Yucaipa, Calif., Lori and Steven Shay, Lee’s Summit, Stephen Willms, Greenfield, Calif., Richard and Victoria Willms, Riverside, Calif., Patricia and Christopher Sarnowski, Bridgeville, Penn.; a brother, John and wife, Myrt Willms, Clay Center, Kan.; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m., March 15 at Meyers Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be in the chapel at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a memorial fund care of Carole Willms.

Condolences and memories of Bryant may be shared on line at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.

(Arrangements by: Meyers Funeral Chapel, 1600 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-229-3276)