Joseph Erwin Willett

Joseph E. Willett of Columbia, Missouri passed away at the age of 94 on November 6, 2023. He was born in Albany, Missouri on June 9, 1929 and graduated with all of his degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. At the University of Missouri, he met his wife Mary “Ellen” and after receiving his PhD in Physics, they were married the same year in 1956. In 1965 he returned to the University of Missouri as a professor where he taught in the Department of Physics and Astronomy for over 40 years. His research in nuclear fusion was intentionally designed to help carve a path for clean energy. Although he was a physicist by day and loved to teach graduate and undergraduate students, he was a jazz musician by night and organized his first band at the age of 13. Joe was a talented piano player, but tenor sax and clarinet were his passion. He played professionally around the Midwest starting in his youth in bands that featured his own arrangements. In college, he even made a few records. Well known in the local music scene, he played in venues all over Columbia for over 50 years and was considered to be one of the best clarinet players of his era. When he hit the high note on Begin the Beguine, he was often met with standing ovations, something that happened even when he merely walked into a local music shop. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his daughters, Cynthia Willett and her fiancé Robert Johnson; Lori Willett; Julie Willett and her husband Randy McBee. His grandchildren include Leslie Chiang and her husband Matthew Aharonov; Liza Willett; Joseph Boettcher and his wife Vickie; Dylan McBee and Chloe Willett; great granddaughters Gabriella Villalobos and Ivy Aharonov who is on the way. He is also survived by his older brother, Fred Willett. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations for a scholarship to be awarded to an undergraduate music major with an interest in Jazz.

For Donations: Make the check payable to:

“The Curators of the University of Missouri-Columbia” in memorial of Dr. Joseph E. Willett

Please Send to:

The Curators of the University of Missouri-Columbia

407 Reynolds Alumni Center

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com for the Willett family.