Judith M. Wills

Judy was born on August 12, 1942, in Madison, WI, to the late Erling and Natalie (Olsen) Henderson and was raised in Sands, MI. She graduated from Gwinn High School in 1959, at the age of 16 and started working as a secretary to the principal of the newly opened Gilbert Elementary School in Gwinn that fall. She eventually filled the same position at the McDonald Elementary and Gwinn High Schools in a career that spanned 36 years.

In 1964, she married David Wills at St. Anthony Catholic Ch urch in Gwinn where they made their first home and started raising their two children. They later built a home on Bass Lake West. In August of 2020, the couple celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

Judy was kind, talented, and intelligent, with a winning smile and a sense of humor. She was a talented cook, baker, gardener, seamstress, and quilter. She also enjoyed the outdoors, walking the dog near their home, hunting, and fishing. In their early years together, she and David were avid bowlers and snowmobilers. They were as comfortable in each other’s company as a couple could be. She was devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, David of Gwinn; children, Todd (Sarah) Wills of St. Clair, MI and Janell (Marcus) Hollmann of New Holstein, WI; grandchildren, Sam and Abby Wills, and Luke and Miles Hollmann; her siblings, Dennis (Nancy) Henderson and Alton (Sue) Henderson, all of Marquette, and Anita (Jack) Heaton of Sands; her in-law siblings, whom she embraced as though they were her own brothers and sisters, Nancy (Ray) Gilkerson of Worthington, OH, Stephen Wills of Munising, John Wills of Menominee, Richard Wills of Gwinn and Peggy (Tami) Wills of New Albany, IN and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Brideson and Bernice Wills.

In light of the continuing covid pandemic precautions, Judy’s Mass of Christian Burial will be private, with Rev. Allen Mott officiating. For those who would also like to participate, Judy’s mass will be livestreamed starting at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 31st at https://my.gather .app/remember/judith -wills

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Judy’s name to St. Anthony Catholic Church, 280 N. Boulder St., Gwinn, MI 49841 or UPAWS, P.O. Box 968, Marquette, MI 49855.

Canale Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Wills family where it is highly encouraged to leave a tribute for Judy and her family at canalefuneral.com