Willard J. LaFave

Willard Joseph LaFave, age 90, of Gladstone passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba. He was born August 11, 1933 in Hermansville, MI and was the son of Lawrence and Roseann (Paquin) LaFave. In 1946 the family moved to Saginaw, MI and Willard graduated from Saginaw High School in 1951. Willard married the former Betty Jane Renner on February 14, 1953 in Saginaw and she preceded him in death on June 29, 2011. After high school Willard worked for his father at LaFave Saw Sharpening in Saginaw and had a second job at Coler Brothers Fabrication as a welder. Willard and his brother Butch purchased the saw sharpening company from his father and renamed the company to LaFave Saw and Supply, Inc. The company was sold to Willard’s son Mike in 2001 when Willard retired. In 2005 Betty Jane and Willard moved to Gladstone. Willard’s favorite pass time was work. He enjoyed wood working, metal working and building trailers in his garage which he would sell. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and going to the family camp in Hermansville. Willard was very meticulous about his work. He always said, if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right!

Willard is survived by his son Matthew LaFave of Gladstone; seven grandchildren Beth (Darby) Wright, Shannon (Prenethis) Williams, Nicole (Josh) Hubbell, Karrie LaFave, Crystal (Bradley) Miles, Tiffany LaFave, and Matthew LaFave; seventeen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; brother Clayton “Butch” LaFave of Indianapolis, IN and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by sons Michael and Mark LaFave; daughter Michelle Wilson and brothers LeRoy and Clarence LaFave.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Willard LaFave will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Stephen Cowen officiating.

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