Charles “Charlie” Edward Willers, Jr., age 75, of Conover, NC, passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC. Born October 25, 1942 in Queens, NY, he was the son of the late Charles Edward Willers, Sr., and Sarah Mae Hoss Willers.
Charlie was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Claremont, NC, and was a member and past president of the Catawba Valley Pigeon Racing Club. He won numerous awards and competitions racing pigeons. Charlie retired after 28 years with the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) where he served as a firefighter with Engine 91-2, Engine 5, and Engine 328. He retired as a Fire Marshall and was the first canine arson Fire Marshall with FDNY. As Fire Marshall, he did many public speaking arrangements regarding fire safety and fire education.
In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Willers.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jill Gonzales Willers of the home; daughters, Dawn Marie Frisbie and husband Ronnie of Holbrook, NY, Jessica Rhoton and husband Christopher of Greenville, SC, and Bonnie-Lynn Crenshaw and husband Will of Conover, NC; sons, William Willers of North Babylon, NY, Craig Willers and wife Sue of Fort Mill, SC, and Mark Gonzales of Charlotte, NC; sister, Marylyn Bohn of Mint Hill, NC; grandchildren, Alyssa Gonzales, Jalen Willers, Emily Willers, Christopher Crenshaw, Jacob Crenshaw, Caleb Crenshaw, Travis Frisbie, and Kayden Frisbie; niece, Jennifer Aiosa; and nephews, Christopher Willers and Steven Willers.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Jason Sigmon officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Drum Funeral Home in Conover, NC, on Friday, April 13, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Condolences may be sent to the Willers family at www.drumfh-conover.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY, 10306.
The Willers family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.
