Cornelis "Casey" Willems

Cornelis ‘Casey’ Willems passed away on January 1, 2025, at the age of 88 after a year-long fight against cancer. He was born in the Netherlands and graduated from the Hogere Hotel School in The Hague. Casey was the first graduate from his school chosen to go to the USA as a post-graduate intern. During his life, Casey worked in the hospitality industry in White Plains, Amsterdam, Breda (where he met and married Conny), Brussels, Washington D.C., Chicago, and New Orleans. He was a proud New Orleanian for more than 50 years. He changed professions and became a well-known potter who proudly displayed his work in New Orleans, the Gulf South and New York. He was particularly known for his utilitarian and artistic work and was famous for his berry bowls. Many New Orleanians enjoy his work every day. He exhibited in local shops and galleries and had a store on Magazine Street for decades. He also showed his work at various art shows, including the JazzFest, and in galleries in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast. Together with his son, Mo Willems, he exhibited in Gallery Henoch in New York, as well as the Guggenheim Museum’s New York store and other galleries and museum stores. Casey honed his craft at courses taken at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Evanston Art Center in Evanston, IL, and at Newcomb’s Pottery Department under the tutelage of Gene Koss, where he also took courses in glass blowing. He was adored by his friends and customers and was particularly known for his wit, quick repartee, and joie de vivre. He always had an amusing story to tell and loved people. He and his friend Bob Weilbaecher started several luncheon groups, which have lasted for decades. They even continued to meet for lunch in the park during the Covid pandemic. Casey wrote two children’s books, ON THE RUN, based in part on his experiences as a child during World War II and its sequel ON THE BAYOU, based on a Dutch boy’s experiences in Acadiana. Prior to his illness, Casey enjoyed his weekly kayak trips in the bayous with Bob Weilbaecher, and attending museums, operas, and plays around the world. He loved his monthly Bookclub and the weekly classes in literature led by Professor Ted Cotton. Casey also enjoyed writing whimsical poetry. Casey was adventurous and hitchhiked through Europe, Africa and Asia in his twenties. He travelled extensively throughout his life, visiting more than 80 countries. Together with Mo, he walked the Route Napoleon from Juan Les Pins to Paris (600 miles), kayaked the Rhine River from the Bodensee to Holland (700 miles), and starting from Vezelay, France, made the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, in part with a gypsy wagon and a horse, by bicycle and on foot (560 miles). Together with his son, Mo, and later with his best friend, Bob Weilbaecher, Casey walked the Vierdaagse in the Netherlands, a four-day march of 160 kilometers. His last trip was a cruise taken a month before his death. He and Conny were interviewed for Storycorps last November. This is the link: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/constance-willems-and-cornelis-willems/ .

Casey’s parents and five of his siblings predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Gerda Willems Hartmans of Tiel, Holland, by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Conny Charles Willems, by his son, Mo Willems and Mo’s wife Cher, his grandchild, Trix, and by a host of other relatives and friends. We particularly thank Eric Gossiaux, who has helped Casey for years with his pottery shows and helped Casey almost daily during the last year of his illness. Visitation will begin at 8:30 am, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11 am, on January 16, 2025, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Greater New Orleans Foundation, or to a charity of your choice. To view and sign the family online guest book, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com