Willis E. Pettigrew

Willis E. Pettigrew, born February 10, 1937, was called home on Saturday, May 10th, 2025. There to meet him were his mother, Edna and father James Pettigrew. Left to carry on his traditions are his wife of 67 years, Wilhelmine, his daughters, Annette Bucco and Deborah Pierson. His legacy will also continue through his five grandchildren, Kristy, Michael, Kelsey, Brenten and McKenna and three great grandchildren Kara, Braelynn and Katherine.

Willis joined the Army as a young man and met his wife while stationed in Germany. They fell in love and returned to the United States and were married in East Orange, New Jersey. They were married for 67 years and he led a happy active life filled with family and friends. Willis will be remembered for his love of his German shepherd dogs, Bruno, Hunter and Max. He was an avid collector. He loved pocket knives, which he started collecting when he was just a young child. He enjoyed hunting and target practice also.

Willis retired from Michigan Consolidated Gas Company after a successful career and was able to enjoy retirement with his loving wife and family and will be remembered sitting in his favorite swing in the front yard with his dog by his side.

Willis’s family would like to say a heartfelt Thank you to Hospice of Michigan for the support and wonderful care he received.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cherryland Humane Society.

It was Willis’s desire to be cremated and to have his ashes planted with a tree as a remembrance of his life. A celebration of his life will be held in his honor on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11 am at Life Story Funeral Home, 400 W. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI.

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