Neil Lawrence Witt

Neil Lawrence Witt, a Placerville resident who defended freedom as a soldier in Normandy, France, died Monday, June 6, coincidentally on the 67th anniversary of D-Day. He was 17 days away from his 91st birthday.

Witt, who moved to Placerville in December 2005 from Escondido, California, spent most of his career specializing in the produce market, whether working for retail grocery stores or operating his own wholesale business, Neil’s Produce of Escondido.

Born in Denver, Colorado, June 23, 1920, he moved to Pasadena, California, as a child where he later graduated from Muir Tech High School before being inducted into the United States Army in October 1941.

Witt was a member of the 15th Armored Infantry Battalion, driving a half-track as part the unit known as Hell on Wheels. His service included participation in such notable battles as the drive to Palermo, Sicily; the invasion of Normandy, including the battle for St. Lo; and the Battle of the Bulge before ending his tour of foreign service in Berlin, Germany, when World War II came to an end.

Discharged on October 19, 1945, he returned to Pasadena to marry Gladys Emma Hartley a month later on November 17. They were married 65 years and were together at home Monday when he passed away at 12:40 p.m., from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to his wife Gladys, Witt is survived by three children: Jim Witt of Pollock Pines, California; Janet Schultz of Placerville, California; and Ted Witt of Folsom, California. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Michelle Witt of Oconto, Wisconsin; David Witt of Cardiff by the Sea, California; Anna Ferry of El Paso, Texas; Erik Schultz of Sacramento; Jamie Alm of Seattle Washington; Jeff Witt of Helsinki, Finland; and John Witt of Seattle, Washington. His three great grandchildren are Jacob Ferry, Tyler Ferry, and Maya Alm.

He is also survived by a brother, James Clifton Witt of Pasadena, and a sister, Sarah “Peggy” Thompson of Yreka, California.

Before moving to Northern California, Witt was a long-time resident of Escondido, California, where he was a member of Emmanuel Faith Community Church for 50 years. He had served as a church deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years before moving to Placerville.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, at Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, CA 95667. A short interment ceremony will be held the following day, Wednesday, June 15, at 10 a.m. with military honors at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Drive, Dixon, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs, 95619, or Gideon’s International, Placerville Chapter, P.O. Box 1443, Placerville, California, 95667. You are invited to sign the guest book and leave condolences for the family at www.chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.