Sept. 4, 1957 – Nov. 21, 2021

Bill (William Edward) Willets passed away on Nov. 21, 2021 at the age of 64.

Born on Sept. 4, 1957 in Queens, New York to Herb and Gloria Willets, he was the youngest of two children. He grew up on Long Island where he went to Levittown Memorial High School but graduated from Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois after his family moved there. He then attended Nassau Community College as well as Five Towns Music College when he moved back to Long Island shortly after graduating.

Billy loved to play ice hockey in his younger years and was an avid music lover his whole life. In high school, he played clarinet and saxophone in his school band and, with his great love for music, it’s no wonder that Bill married singer/songwriter Jeannie Garcia in 1981. They had two sons, Christopher and Sean.

Billy also played drums for several bands throughout the years and was the drummer for his wife’s band. Bill and Jeannie wrote some songs together as well including a beautiful love ballad expressing their mutual and spiritual love for each other called, “Behind Your Eyes.” Together for 45 years, both always attributed their relationship’s longevity to their shared love and wonderful sense of humor.

A friend to many due to his kind heart and loving soul, Bill Willets was a loving husband, devoted father, hard-working provider and faithful protector, loved by so many. Always a truth-seeker and truth sharer, he was a wise, gentle and honest soul who enriched many lives and will live on in our wonderful memories of him and in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; sons Christopher and Sean; sister Pat and brother-in-law Larry; and family: his Aunt Jo, and cousins and their families.

Billy’s memorial service will be held on Feb. 5 at noon at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta.

Directors: crippenmortuary.com