Born the second child of William F. and Beulah Marie (Perkins) Willoughby on July 25, 1940, Mr. Willoughby grew up in Springfield, Missouri, graduating from Parkview High School in 1959.
In 1964, he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he worked as a furniture refinisher, then as an inspector and grinder at Electron, an iron foundry, in Littleton, CO, for 9 years.
He married Katherine Darlene McMillen on July 10, 1969, adopting her three children in 1970. In 1973, the family moved to Springfield, MO, where Mr. Willoughby worked at Zenith Corp., on the assembly line.
He was an honorary warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say.
He worked at Ericsson as a PIC twinner, from 1977 until they closed in 1988.
He worked for the Cass R-9 School District as a custodian from 1988 until his retirement in 2003.
He worked part-time at Wal-Mart as night maintenance until 2016.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Katherine, 3 grandsons Steven Walter Hodges, Gracen Storm Willoughby, and Paxton Jay Willoughby. Surviving him are two sons Mark Willoughby and James Willoughby Jr.; two daughters Linda Hodges and Susan Springer; 9 grandchildren Cassy, Diana, Jake, Jacquelyn, Jessica, Mark Jr., Katerina, Leandra, Esther; 9 great grandchildren Brandon, Brock, Hunter, Xavier, Alina, Quinn, Alera, Brandon, and Lexi; as well as older brother William, sister Margaret Baker, and younger brother Robert.
Celebration of Life to be held at 1PM on Saturday, April 28, at the Worship Center, 2901 N 291 Hwy, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com.
Arr.: Newcomer's Floral Hills, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO 64133, (816) 353-1218.
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