Gerald Lee "Gerry" Willey

WILLEY, Gerald Lee "Gerry" - Age 85, of Fenton, passed away peacefully at home, Monday, May 12, 2025. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:00 PM Monday, May 19, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St, Fenton (The service will be live streamed and can be viewed below Gerry's obituary). Fr. Robert Copeland and Fr. David Harvey concelebrating. Burial in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton Sunday from 2-8 PM; and at church Monday from 1 PM until the time of Mass. A vigil service will be held at the funeral home 7 PM Sunday. Those desiring may make contributions to St. John Outreach.

Gerry was born and raised in Flint and after high school he joined the United States Marine Corp. in 1956. He was stationed in Bremerton, WA and Okinawa, Japan. His early career began in a variety of sales jobs including furniture sales. He married Kay Barbara Noland, in Harrison. He was a sales manager for resort properties in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana. He was ultimately offered his first job in furniture sales by Ron Rolston and the rest is history. Settling back in Fenton he and his wife, Kay opened Fenton Home Furnishings on Leroy Street, which expanded to its current 4 locations. In 1996, he was approached by Bob Cole to reopen The Fenton Hotel to keep the landmark open, selling to the current owner, Nick Sorice, whom Kay says is her hero. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church for 51 years. Aside from his business ventures Gerry was an avid outdoorsman and skilled hunter, never missing a deer season for over 70 years. He also enjoyed boating, ski trips, the casinos and traveling.

Surviving are: his wife of 56 years, Kay; his children, Lora (Obert) Smith, Gerry Willey, Jr., Nicholas (Angela) Willey, Kristi Willey and Rodney Willey; grandchildren, Derek (Kellie), Evan, Alyssa (Aaron), Paige (Jesse), Nicklas, Jaidynn, Blake, Austin, Cooper and Chandler; brother, William "Bill" Willey; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Gladys Willey; brother, Timothy Willey; and sister, Nancy Willey. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com