Willis Adrian Dodd, Jr.

Willis Adrian Dodd, Jr, 80, Lake Carroll, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas. He was born April 7, 1934, in Mitchell, SD, the son of Willis and Esther (Witzel) Dodd. Willis was a veteran of the Army serving during the Korean Conflict. He married Neva Jensen in 1954. Willis lived most of his life in northern Illinois working in the appliance repair business. He was the service manager for Martin Gustafson’s until he formed his own business, Will’s Appliance Repair. His motto being, “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way”. He retired in 1997, and moved to Lake Carroll in 1999. Willis enjoyed outdoor activities that included traveling with his wife, camping, boating, fishing and his favorite pastime, golfing. He particularly enjoyed golfing with his sons, his nephews and the Lake Carroll 10 O’Clock Golf group. He loved to brag about his getting two hole in ones. Willis and Neva were “Winter Texans” in Donna, Texas for many years.
Survived by his loving wife, Neva; his sons, Craig (Cheryl), Jeffrey (Julie), and Brad (Gail) Dodd; grandchildren, Shane, Justin (Tanya), Matthew (Karlee) and Amanda Dodd and Bill Salzer; great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Austin, Aryzona, Aryona, Cody, Kelcey, and Briana; his sisters, Patricia Jensen and Peggy Case; brother, Jerry (Kathy) Dodd; his brother-in-law, David Thompson; his sister-in-law, Patricia Johnson Dodd; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; his grandson, Brandon; his brother, Norman; his sisters, Donna Lawson, Rae Thompson, and Kay Rippentrop; his brothers-in-law, Spencer Jensen, Richard Case, and Dwight Lawson; his sister-in-law, Lois Magnusson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, 61108, with Reverend Dean Parker officiating. Burial in New Milford Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30A.M. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for a memorial to be established at a later date. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com