Willard G. LeClair

Willard Gerald LeClair, 91, formerly of Black River went on to meet the Lord peacefully on July 7, 2018, at the Heartwood Lodge in Spring Lake, MI.  Willard was born in Detroit on March 23, 1927, to Arthur and Alexina LeClair.  When Willard was about 6 years old, the family moved to Black River where he grew up and lived most of his life.  As a youth, Willard was an avid trapper and enjoyed playing baseball.  Willard graduated from Harrisville High School in 1946. During his adult life, Willard built and remodeled residential homes throughout Alcona and Alpena counties.  Willard was devoted to his family, his church and active in the community. He had a beautiful singing voice and often sang in wedding celebrations for his friends and relatives.  For nearly 4 decades Willard held the position of either Alcona Township Supervisor or an Alcona County Commissioner.  Willard was also a member of the St. Gabriel Church and Men’s Club; he was one of the original members of the Alcona Township Volunteer Fire Department. Willard married Pauline Jean Hammermeister on August 23, 1952.  Pauline preceded him in death on March 21, 1989.  Willard is survived by his two daughters: Julie (Richard) Arraut of Spring Lake, MI; Cheryl (Rick) Jaworowski of Spruce, MI; and three sons: Dan (Kelly) of Brighton, MI; David (and friend Tanya Bliss) of Brighton, MI; and Ray (Susan) of Dundee, MI; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one sister Geraldine Flynn of Zephyrhills FL. Willard is preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Theresa Donaldson, Anna Mae Lee and Lillian Stillwell; one brother Raymond, one grandson James Arraut (2003) and one great granddaughter Gabriella LeClair (2011). Mr. LeClair is at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln, where friends may call on Monday, July 9, 2018 from 5:00 until 9:00 PM with a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00.  Visitation will continue Tuesday July 10, 2018 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Black River from 10:00 AM until the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM.  Rev. Robert Bissot will officiate.  Burial will be in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Black River.  Instead of flowers, if you wish, donation can be made to your local Hospice of Michigan facility or the St Gabriel’s Church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard G. LeClair, please visit our flower store.