Charles Osler Willming

Charles Osler Willming

Cedar Rapids

The Reverand Charles Osler Willming passed away peacefully on March 1, 2024, in Salem, OR. He is survived by three of his children, Debra, Paul, and Pam, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, older sister Ruth Jo, brother Edward and sister Virginia, his wife of 64 years, Vernelle, his son Mark, daughter Ann and granddaughter Vanessa Field.

“Chuck” was born to the Rev. Charles B. Willming and Winnifred Virginia (Osler) Willming on May 17, 1931 in Emporia, KS. At the age of ten, fostered by his parents’ love of music, he began to play the baritone horn and trombone in the school band. Chuck attended the University of Dubuque, IA on a music scholarship graduating in1952. He followed his father’s path into ministry and served several churches in Missouri while attending seminary. In1953, he married Vernelle D. Hoggard. The newlyweds spent 3 months assisting on the Navajo Reservation in Kayenta, AZ. Chuck graduated from seminary in 1956 and was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church.

Chuck then became a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. First at Lackland/San Antonio, then assignments at Barksdale/Louisiana, about a year on Iwo Jima and finally at Geiger Field/Spokane, WA. He continued in the Air Force reserves until retirement in 1979 with the rank Lieutenant Colonel.

Chuck’s civilian “callings” began in 1959 when he became an Associate Pastor at Millwood P.C., WA. and then at First PC in Albuquerque, NM. Chuck and his growing family returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1962 where he became the Pastor of Gateway PC in The Dalles, OR. In 1969, he and the family moved to Eugene, OR where Chuck devoted 18 years as pastor of Westminster PC. During his tenure a new education wing was constructed and the music program flourished. He and Vernelle moved to Bozeman, MT in 1988, where he served as Pastor at First PC until the Fall of 1995. Chucks final position was interim Pastor at Matura PC, New Zealand. He retired in 1996 and they settled in Keizer, OR. Chuck remained active in the Presbyterian church and was a member in the Salem/Keizer community band for many years.

Celebration of life gatherings will be held following Sunday service at John Knox PC in Keizer on April 14, and Westminster PC in Eugene, OR on May 5, 2024. A graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, IA on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11 am, where his son Mark, wife Vernelle and her parents Bill and Verna Hoggard are at rest. Memorial donations may be made to the cancer organization of your choice.