They broke the mold with Willard Norman Grummert. A man of legendary wit, unwavering spirit, and extreme love of his family, Willard lived a life that left a profound impact on those lucky enough to know him. He passed away on October 18, 2024 in Clermont, Florida after a brief illness.

Willard had a heart full of dedication to his family and friends, a mind teeming with knowledge, and his journey through life was nothing short of extraordinary.

Willard was born April 3, 1944 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Norman Henry Grummert and Bertha Amanda Schuerman and enjoyed life on the Grummert Family Farm until moving to the town of Fairbury, Nebraska on leap day in 1956. He graduated from Fairbury High School in 1961.The love for his home town was evident as he attended numerous class reunions and enjoyed multiple pilgrimages back to Nebraska over the course of his life.

In the early 1960s, Willard grew into a role as a campus icon at the University of Nebraska Lincoln as "Ice Cream Willy." As part time work during college he would throw ice cream bars to the university basketball fans and they would throw back a dime in a tennis ball. Willard was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity creating lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories that would stay with his brothers and him forever. He graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and an M.B.A.

Willard served his country honorably as an officer in Vietnam in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1969-1970. After returning home from overseas to his wife and first born child, Willard went on to begin a noteworthy career as a sales phenom. He began his career with United States Gypsum in Chicago. In 1984 he made the leap to entrepreneurship creating the independent sales representative company Pro Con Systems and eventually became known as 1-800-Willard. He was a pioneer in the GFRC/GFRG (glass fiber reinforced concrete/gypsum) construction and architectural industry in the state of Florida. Willard never fully retired embodying a dedication to his clients until the end.

Willard's joys were simple and beautiful: sunrises and sunsets, a nature walk on the golf course, the thrill of a grand slam, a good trivia question, and his family. He loved his truck and all his road worn vehicles with one making it over 400,000 miles. This was a testament to his resilience and passion for life's journeys and being on the road as a "product promoter". He was blessed to witness the total solar eclipse twice: the first time in 2017 in Nebraska and the second time in 2024 in Ohio. His family organized an 80th birthday celebration combined with a family reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Cleveland Guardians baseball game. They were both bucket list items for him.

Willard was a master storyteller, ensuring attention to detail and retaining "lifetime rights" to every tale he spun. With an encyclopedic knowledge of music trivia from his self-described size eight German head, Willard could pull up a fact or name about nearly any song. He loved surprising strangers after meeting them by asking them where they were from and then off the top of his head knowing their local area code or a fun fact about their hometown or state.

Willard was married to his college sweetheart Ann Marie Peithman for 41 years and they were blessed with three children. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lowell Grummert and his sister Rachel Niemeier. Willard is survived by his sister Ardis Knoflicek (Mike), Decatur, GA; daughters Jill Brennan (Patrick), New Canaan, CT and Juli Schumann, Nashville, TN; son Jeffrey Grummert (Shauna), Stuart, FL; grandsons Milo Schumann, Costa Mesa, CA and Mack Schumann, Nashville, TN; and granddaughters Coral and Sierra Grummert, Stuart, FL.

The world may never see another like him, but his spirit will forever remain with us, reminding us to live boldly, keep learning, laugh often, and always have a story to tell. To know Willard was to know a lexicon of wit and wisdom. His "beyond glorious" life was filled with laughter, love, and priceless memories. He leaves a legacy that will live on forever in the hearts of his family and friends. We will honor his memory, spirit, and his one-of-a-kind eternal soul.

Rest in peace, Papa Willy. We love you, and we'll keep telling your stories.

Willard will be laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL alongside his fellow Veterans. All are welcome to a visitation with family at Becker Funeral Home in Clermont, FL on November 14th, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project .