Willard Floyd Francis Garlock II, age 69, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died on February 13, 2024, at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey, Michigan surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on May 29, 1954, in Newaygo, Michigan, to Willard Floyd and Dorothy Olive (Turner) Garlock.
Willard grew up in Newaygo and Glenn, Michigan. He graduated from Fennville High School, in Fennville, Michigan, with the class of 1972. After an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps, Willard returned home. He went to work for the City of Fennville, until taking a job with Planters/Life Savers factory where he met Deborah Diepenhorst. He continued to court her before finally winning her heart and they married on March 8, 1985. They moved to St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1994, where they spent the remainder of their life together. Willard retired from Ace Hardware in St. Ignace and later worked seasonally at the Straits State Park.
Willard had a love for the outdoors, was an avid outdoorsman and was a member of the Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club in St. Ignace. Along with hunting, fishing, and gardening, he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He frequently bragged, “I have the best grandchildren anyone could ask for.”
Willard is survived by his wife, Deborah; daughter, Nikki (Bruce) Willson of Grand Junction, Michigan; sons, Willard (Alicia) Garlock III of Greenville, Michigan, Justin (Aubriana) Garlock of Baldwin, Michigan, Troy (Amanda) Garlock of St. Ignace, and Corey Garlock of St. Ignace; grandchildren, Leighann, Levi, Haley, MacKenzie Leigh, Jonathan, Abigail, Kaelyn, Connor, Mira, Hudson, Ava, Alanna, and Colt; sisters, Mary Jo Walkley, LuAnn Garlock, and Penny (Larry) Kuepfer; brothers, Warner (Pam) Garlock, and Wesley Garlock; as well as many beloved great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews, and cousins.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Dorothy; and parents-in-law, Paul Marcus and Nikki (Haight) Diepenhorst.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the United Methodist Church, 615 US-2 W, St Ignace, MI 49781, on Saturday, March 2nd from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. The Memorial Service will begin at 11:30 AM and a luncheon will immediately follow.
Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
