ISLAND FALLS – George Perley Willigar Sr., 73, went to meet his Lord and Savior April 1, 2012, in Houlton, after a long illness. He was born May 21, 1938, in Presque Isle, the son of Perley Willigar and Ida (Dryden) Willigar.
George served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained as a machinist. He was a volunteer for Boy Scouts of America as a troop leader and neighborhood commissioner. He worked for Boy Scouts of America as the camp ranger at Camp Roosevelt, Eddington. During his years of employment he worked as a fuller brush man, and ran a bakery and a second hand shop. He was proud to have his auctioneer’s license and enjoyed the times he held auctions. He began his sales career at age 5 by selling empty tea crates to neighbors to use as boxes to hold their kindling wood. One of George’s greatest joys was serving his Lord and Savior in many capacities at his church and as one of the members of the Sunday Singers at the local nursing home. He shared his love for Jesus with those he met and loved singing the favorite old hymns.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judith (Gray) Willigar; his five children, George Willigar Jr. and wife, Leah, Marcia Grant and husband, Doug, Jay Willigar and wife, Maria, Chris Willigar and wife, Helen, and Sheila Paradis and husband, Kenneth; 20 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Margaret Merry, Mary Willigar, Jackie and Roland Davenport, and Bonnie and Stan King; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Tom Hurlbert. He was predeceased by his father and mother; one grandchild, Dale; and one great-grandchild, Nicholas. His family greatly appreciates the loving care he received while in the Progressive Care Unit of Houlton Regional Hospital.
Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, and noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Calvary Baptist Church, Stacyville, where the funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church for children’s programs. For an online memory book and to leave condolences, please visit
www.bowersfuneral.com.