Willey, Wythe W.

Jackson County native and longtime Cedar Rapids lawyer, Wythe W. Willey, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, after two year battle against cancer. A tireless advocate for small family farms, healthy agriculture and effective government, Willey leaves behind a legacy of sustained contribution to Iowa and the nation. He was 68.

Calling himself a cattleperson first, Willey continued to run his family's century farm and ranch near Maquoketa throughout his life. His love of agriculture took him from two championships for reserve cattle at the Iowa State Fair while in high school, to two-terms as president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, to president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Willey won critical litigation that ensured equal opportunity for the beef industry in the marketplace and successfully advocated to bring a state-of-the-art beef packing facility to Iowa. His law practice focused primarily on agriculture interests, in particular property rights issues. Hailed as a “natural leader” by fellow ranchers, Willey was the winner of BEEF magazine's 1997 Trailblazer Award. BEEF quoted him as saying that “a healthy and viable beef industry was the backbone of a healthy and viable rural America.”

Willey served for 10 years as chief of staff to former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, and ran Iowa field operations for Sen. Chuck Grassley. It was while on Senator Grassley's staff that Willey met his wife of 25 years, Susan, who served as tax counsel.

President George W. Bush appointed Willey to his advisory committee on trade policy. He was one of five appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad to redraw congressional districts in Iowa following the 1990 census.

His interest in politics began while he was an undergraduate at Iowa State University (BS '64) and a law student at the University of Iowa Law School (JD '67). He was active in the Young Republicans and ran the campaign for the Republican congressional candidate in the district that included Cedar Rapids. Republican leaders and candidates continued to seek his advice and support throughout his life, particularly with respect to judicial appointments.

In addition to his wife, Susan, Willey is survived by their two children, Katharine and James; his three children, Joe, Audra Haddy and Jeff and their mother, Wythe's first wife, Ruth Burton; his sisters, Madeline Meyer of Odebolt, Sara Haytcher of Moline, Ill., and Carla Getz of Missoula, Mont.; and his uncle, Ingwer Carstensen, of Delmar; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, F.E. Wirth Willey and Elfrieda Carstensen Willey.

Memorial service will be held at Jackson County native and longtime Cedar Rapids lawyer, Wythe W. Willey, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, after two year battle against cancer. A tireless advocate for small family farms, healthy agriculture and effective government, Willey leaves behind a legacy of sustained contribution to Iowa and the nation. He was 68.

Calling himself a cattleperson first, Willey continued to run his family's century farm and ranch near Maquoketa throughout his life. His love of agriculture took him from two championships for reserve cattle at the Iowa State Fair while in high school, to two-terms as president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, to president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Willey won critical litigation that ensured equal opportunity for the beef industry in the marketplace and successfully advocated to bring a state-of-the-art beef packing facility to Iowa. His law practice focused primarily on agriculture interests, in particular property rights issues. Hailed as a “natural leader” by fellow ranchers, Willey was the winner of BEEF magazine's 1997 Trailblazer Award. BEEF quoted him as saying that “a healthy and viable beef industry was the backbone of a healthy and viable rural America.”

Willey served for 10 years as chief of staff to former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, and ran Iowa field operations for Sen. Chuck Grassley. It was while on Senator Grassley's staff that Willey met his wife of 25 years, Susan, who served as tax counsel.

President George W. Bush appointed Willey to his advisory committee on trade policy. He was one of five appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad to redraw congressional districts in Iowa following the 1990 census.

His interest in politics began while he was an undergraduate at Iowa State University (BS '64) and a law student at the University of Iowa Law School (JD '67). He was active in the Young Republicans and ran the campaign for the Republican congressional candidate in the district that included Cedar Rapids. Republican leaders and candidates continued to seek his advice and support throughout his life, particularly with respect to judicial appointments.

In addition to his wife, Susan, Willey is survived by their two children, Katharine and James; his three children, Joe, Audra Haddy and Jeff and their mother, Wythe's first wife, Ruth Burton; his sisters, Madeline Meyer of Odebolt, Sara Haytcher of Moline, Ill., and Carla Getz of Missoula, Mont.; and his uncle, Ingwer Carstensen, of Delmar; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, F.E. Wirth Willey and Elfrieda Carstensen Willey.

Memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids. A reception to greet family will precede service, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send to contributions to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, www.gcrcf.org A reception to greet family will precede service, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send to contributions to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, www.gcrcf.org