Alvin Alfred Willette
Alvin Alfred Willette Jr., 90, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025. Alvin was born in Waterville, Maine on March 4, 1935 to the late Mildred Matthews Willette and the late Alvin Alfred Willette Sr.. He was also predeceased by his loving wife of 59 years, Mrs. Kay Washburn Willette.
Alvin was of the Christian Faith. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. Over his 90 years he lived an incredibly full life, with interests that spanned fishing, woodworking, farming, flying, homesteading, dancing, travel, RVing with the love of his life, large format B&W nature photography, and college basketball; pulling for his beloved Tarheels. His many careers were just as diverse and interesting. As a young boy, during the aftermath of the Great Depression, he learned to work the streets of both his hometown and Brooklyn, NY, shining shoes and selling newspapers, among other pursuits. After serving in the Air Force as a tail gunner assigned to a B36 bomber during the Korean conflict, he attended the University of North Carolina and High Point University. Once a graduate, he was hired by Goodyear Tire and Rubber as the first personnel manager at their new plant in Danville, VA where he hired many hundreds from the local community between 1965 and 1970, many of whom became lifelong friends. In 1970 Alvin took on the challenge of becoming the headmaster at Piedmont Academy, a local private school, where again he made many lifelong friends of the students that studied under his caring eye. During his tenure at Piedmont, he began to transition into a career in real estate, where he learned the art of Auctioneering, and eventually became a successful real estate investor and developer, which he pursued for the remainder of his working years. In retirement, Alvin developed a serious interest in large format black and white photography, focusing primarily on capturing the beauty of the natural world. At the height of this passion, he built a world class darkroom and won several awards for his work.
Alvin is survived by two sons; Hunter Willette (Angela) of Belmont, NC and David Willette (Brandi) of Chatham, VA; 4 grandchildren; Chase, Ryan, Eli, and Austin Willette, 2 grandchildren by marriage; Chris and Bryan Barnes, and 1 great grandchild; Castor Willette.
In addition to his parents, and wife, Alvin was predeceased by a son; Jeff Willette, and a grandchild; Alec Willette.
A private Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 11:00am, with Chaplain Michael Washington presiding, at the Willette Family Cemetery. At Alvin’s specific request, the proceedings will be small, private and limited to family and a few close friends. The family asks that you please honor these wishes. In lieu of flowers Alvin and the family request that you consider a donation to carolinacaring.org/give, who provided incredibly loving and tender care for him during his last days. Hospice nurses and workers are a very special group of medical professionals.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. & Crematory, Mt. Hermon Chapel, Danville, VA is respectfully serving the Willette family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
