Willey, Refus

Rufus Willey, 88, of Marshalltown, formerly of Ames, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, with Pastor Scott Lothe of Hope United Methodist Church, Marshalltown, officiating. He will be laid to rest with full military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Harry C. Harter Post 839. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Born April 28, 1922, in Iowa City, Iowa, he and his twin brother Rupert were soon adopted into the loving care of Edna A. Willey. They grew up in the Chelsea community and he graduated from Chelsea High School's Class of 1940 - a class of six students!

In December 1942, Rufus enlisted in the United States Army and served our country honorably until receiving his honorable discharge in December 1945. He was stationed in Alaska where the Japanese invasion was anticipated. Rufus was an MP and assisted many motorists on the Alaska Highway while working there. He enjoyed his time in Alaska - except when the weather would dip down to 60 below!

On March 23, 1944, in Grundy Center, Iowa, he was united in marriage to Mardelle McCollister. They made their home in Toledo, where he was a truck driver, and then in 1947, started his lifelong career in the automobile industry. He began as a mechanic at Stein Motors, then to Twin City Ford as a service manager. He applied for a sales job in 1950 at the Cadillac Chevy dealer in Tama and was employed there until 1969 when he moved to Marshalltown to sell for Danskin Cadillac-Pontiac-GMC. All in all, Rufus was associated with Cadillac-Pontiac-Chevy for 50 years.

Retirement didn't necessarily hold him, so he began working for his son, Ron Willey, in Nevada and Ames for three years. Rufus truly loved his calling and dealing with people, antique cars, trips to Colorado, but most of all - his family.

Left to celebrate his life are Mardelle, his loving wife of 67 years; five children, Ron (Sharon) Willey of Ames, Linda (Don) Ahrens of Grinnell, Jim (Debbie) Willey of Marshalltown, Mark (Phyllis) Willey of Dade City, Fla., and Loren (Deanna) Willey of Cedar Rapids; 20 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of friends, all who remember this well-dressed gentleman's never-ceasing smile.

In death, Rufus rejoins his mother who died in 1951; his “uncle,” Merle Brush; twin brother, Rupert; grandson, Steven Michael Ahrens; and great-grandson, Zachary Kyle Reneud.

A memorial fund is being established.

For condolences, please visit   Phone (641) 844-1234.