James Russell Willette was born on July 4, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN, to the parents of Hector and Edith (Dickey) Willette. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, MN.

Most of Jim’s career was spent as a corporate pilot for the Pillsbury Company for 35 years. He married Lois Lindquist on September 29, 1956 at St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis, MN. They were blessed with six children; sons, Kevin, Joseph, John and Rob; and daughters, Maria and Lisa; special niece, Joanne and foster child, Kathy.

Jim served in the United States Navy for four years during the Korean War time frame. He was stationed at U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland as an aircraft mechanic. Being a skilled mechanic, Jim loved fixing things. He could tackle almost any project. A love for volleyball, he participated in several Senior Olympic Volleyball events. But Jim’s biggest passion was spending time with his family and friends enjoying the lake on his pontoon.

Living with cancer since 2008, Jim passed peacefully in the presence of his family on the early afternoon of Friday, January 6, 2012, at the age of 81.

Forever loved, Jim will be deeply missed by his wife of 55 years, Lois of Prior Lake; sons, Kevin of Atlanta, GA, Joseph (Sue) of Inver Grove Heights, John (Diane) of Blaine, Robert (Laura) of Savage; daughter, Lisa of Savage; grandchildren, Ben, Kyle, Lucy, Megan, Christopher, Robert; special niece, Joanne of Bloomington; foster child, Kathy (Ken) Krupula; brother, Roger (Mary) of Bloomington; and other loving relatives and devoted friends. Jim is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Maria; parents, Hector and Edith.

The visitation will be on Tuesday, January 10, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and also one hour prior to the mass at church. The Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, January 11 at 11 a.m., at the Church of St. Michael 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Sieg will officiate. Jim will be laid to rest at a private family inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Jim’s memory by the family.

The Willette family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel.

Jim loved flying and lived life with passion. Consider Jim as you read the lyrics from
“I’ll Fly Away.”

Some glad morning when this life is o’er,
I’ll fly away;
To a home on God’s celestial shore,
I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; in the morning
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I’ll fly away.

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I’ll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I’ll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then,
I’ll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I’ll fly away.

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