Theodore Anthony Willer
Theodore Anthony “Ted” Willer, 86, of Quincy, died Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home with his daughter and son-in-law by his side. He and his family are eternally grateful to all of his caregivers over the past few years.
He was born May 19, 1936, to Ralph and Alice (Price) Willer. He married his dear Patricia in Hawaii on March 10, 1969. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2019 shortly after the couple celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Ted graduated from Christian Brothers High School. As a young man, he worked at Bell Bakery and later worked at Moorman Manufacturing for 30 years in the plant and cafeteria. He was a veteran who was in the Vietnam War and served his country in the National Guard for 34 years. After retirement from Moorman’s and the National Guard, he volunteered as a disc jockey at Good Samaritan Home for 10 years, worked as a minute man for St. Mary’s/Blessed Sacrament Parish, and volunteered for 26 years at Blessing Hospital where he was affectionately known as “The Candy Man”. He was a jokester and liked to find uniquely fun items to share with others like candy, prunes, fortune cookies, and extendable fly swatters. In his younger years, he was crafty and liked to make picture frames for others to commemorate special events. He had a heart of gold as he proudly donated over 20 gallons of blood during his lifetime to help others in need. After his wife’s passing, he established the Ted and Pat Willer endowed scholarship fund at Quincy Notre Dame. Family and his Catholic faith were always important anchors in his life.
Survivors include his daughter, Darla (Dennis) Rischar, step-sons Darrell (Kathleen “CJ”) Williams, David (Julie) Williams, Don (Cindy) Williams, and Doug (Denise) Williams; grandchildren, Holly (Shannon) Smith, Kevin (Karilyn) Williams, Cory (Shay) Williams, Brittany (Cody) Bukovsky, Saylor Williams, Autumn Rischar, and Hunter Rischar; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Ainsley Smith, Lily, Luke, and Audrey Williams, Lincoln Williams, and Adam and Caiden Bukovsky; and his sister, Charlotte Siebers. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Elwood and Ralph Willer, sisters, Mary Alice Miles, Pat Graves, and Marcia Buckner, and in-laws, Eleanor Willer, Marilyn Willer, Carrol Miles, Dale Buckner, Bud Graves, and Robert “Bob” Siebers.
SERVICES: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in St. Michael Cemetery, Leonard, MO.
VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Quincy Notre Dame or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Ted was a great guy and a great friend.
I first meet Ted to know and be with him on our tour in Vietnam. He was the night baker. On my way back to the company area the lights were always on in the Kitchen around 3AM I would stop to check for a morsel to go sleep on. Always enjoyed his kind words. As soon as he was done baking, we would start making breakfast. 10-15 lbs. of bacon in a square head pan over the gas powered burners from the ovens. Before long we would see the cooks coming to fix breakfast. We would start dropping eggs in the square head and toasting bread. We would all have a pleasant time talking about the happenings of the day directed by Ted. What a fond memory i have of those times.
I’ve known Ted since they lived on S 18th . Darla , Darrel , David Donny , and Doug . If you would look up true love in the dictionary you would find Pat and Ted’s picture .. and I find it ironic that I ended up working with Ted at Moormans for many years . I only got the best of Ted twice in all of those years . One time he was bragging that he ended up getting a new driveway from the city when they redid Madison Street. My Dad worked for the city so I got a letter from him and sent him a letter that he was going to have to pay for his driveway , then I out my phone number on it . Knowing he would call . I won’t say what he said when he recognized my voice . .I know he was a proud pappa and loved you all . You have my deepest sympathy .he will leave a void in my life also . I will remember him everything I see a piece of hard candy or a tootsie roll.
Sorry for your loss. Candyman was always smiling, always gracious when he volunteered. We could count on him for a treatt and a smile. Thank you Candyman.
Rest in peace Ted! I’m very happy to gave known him via my sister Denise and her hubby Doug. Glad you are reunited with Pat!
Ted was one of a kind! I’m a nurse at Blessing. He would come check to see if I was working each time he volunteered & always gave me the best treats! Sometimes a full size candy bar or an Angel food cake from Underbrinks. I was a recipient of one of the flu swatters! He then started bringing me prunes & telling me “here this will give you something to do later!” I also got boiled eggs that he would write things on. He would tease me before I got married by writing “Old Maid” on one! I can still hear his laugh! He will truly be missed. I am happy he is reunited with his wife. Prayers for the family ❤️
I have fond memories of Ted from my younger years. From drinking coffee at Hy-Vee, receiving multiple pictures of him as gifts for birthdays and high school graduation, and receiving candy and hugs every time I’d see him. Ted will be missed.
I’ve known Ted since my Moorman days and would see he when I worked at Blessing. He was always there with a smile and a piece of candy (or prune). He was a great guy!
Ted would always leave treats for the office staff at Blessed Sacrament Church in the black drop box out our back door. He was so kind and thoughtful! He will be missed!
To all the family. I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a very unique man. He never new a stranger. Your dad and I visited many times over the years when he came to Good Samaritan Home to volunteer. He always had a treat to share – usually the prunes! He will be missed by many.
I was a checker at a local grocery store in Quincy for several years; Ted usually came through my line every other day. He was a favorite customer. He and I also were volunteer DJ’s at the Good Samaritan Home closed circuit radio station. I will miss his friendly smile.
Ted and my dad were good pals. I remember them always laughing and telling jokes about each other or playing pranks on each other. Ted was a very fun loving guy as I recall and my dad (Norman) has always spoken highly of Ted. Heaven got a good one in Ted.
Ted was one of the nicest men I ever met. Always had a story to tell or an individually wrapped prune to offer! I learned over the years that Ted knew something about everything. He loved his Pat and his children dearly. My condolences to Darla, Darrell, Donnie, David, Doug, and their families.