IN MEMORIAM: Willis Wightman, 78;
Stock Car Hall Of Fame 2012 Inductee
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Willis Lee Wightman, 78, a welder and a member of the Midstate Antique Car Association Hall of Fame, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, Oct. 24, 2016, at Bassett Hospital, with his family by his side.
He was born on Aug. 19, 1938, in Cooperstown, son of the late Leo and Vera Rose-Wightman, and raised on the family farm in Schuyler Lake.
His attended the former Schuyler Lake School and he was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School, then joined the Army National Guard.
On July 9, 1960, he married Eleanor L. Chase in the Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church, where he later served as a trustee and steward. For the past 23 years they made their home in Richfield Springs.
He retired in 2000 as a state certified welder for Mohawk Metals of Frankfort.
In his youth his passion was working on and racing stock cars. In 2012, he was inducted into the Midstate stock car Hall of Fame, formerly at the Otsego County Fairground in Morris.
Surviving him are his wife of 56 years, Eleanor; four sons, Russell of Chadwicks, Craig and his wife Robin of Schuyler Lake, Curtis of Richfield Springs, and Steve of South Sutton, N.H.; a daughter, Tammy Dennis of Richfield Springs; two sisters, Shirley Spraker and her husband Donald of Sauquoit and Beverly VanWinkler of St. Johnsville; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours are in progress until 7 p.m. today at J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd, pastor of the Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Schuyler Lake Cemetery, and a gathering is planned 1-3 p.m. at the Richfield Springs Veteran’s Club.
Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, Care of Richfield Springs Lions Club. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
