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John Austin “Honest John” Willey

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Birth	:	25 Dec 1856 Hamilton, Hamilton Municipality, Ontario, Canada
Death	:	6 Dec 1926 Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Prospect Hill Cemetery, Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.0407982, -97.4289017
Inscription	:	Father
Description	:	JOHN A. WILLEY DIES IN OMAHA HOSPITAL HEART TROUBLE CAUSES THE DEATH OF POPULAR C. & N. W. ENGINEER John A. Willey, 68, 306 Indiana avenue, veteran Chicago and Northwestern railway engineer, passed away in an Omaha hospital Monday night, death resulting from heart trouble. About two and one-half months ago, Mr. Willey was forced to retire from active service on account of his health. Several weeks ago, he went to Rochester, Minn., for an examination, returning to his home after passing through the clinic. Because his condition became worse, he went to Omaha for treatment on Monday, Nov. 29. Read More	JOHN A. WILLEY DIES IN OMAHA HOSPITAL HEART TROUBLE CAUSES THE DEATH OF POPULAR C. & N. W. ENGINEER John A. Willey, 68, 306 Indiana avenue, veteran Chicago and Northwestern railway engineer, passed away in an Omaha hospital Monday night, death resulting from heart trouble. About two and one-half months ago, Mr. Willey was forced to retire from active service on account of his health. Several weeks ago, he went to Rochester, Minn., for an examination, returning to his home after passing through the clinic. Because his condition became worse, he went to Omaha for treatment on Monday, Nov. 29. His condition gradually became worse and on Monday his family was summoned to the hospital. Mr. Willey was one of the most popular engineers on the Northwestern system. His character and nature were such that he was known as "Honest John" in railway circles. Mr. Willey became an engineer on the Northwestern shortly after that railway company built lines in Nebraska. For many years, he worked out of Norfolk. When Mr. Willey was forced to retire from the service action was taken immediately, because of his faithful and long service, to place him on the pension list although he lacked two years of being 70 years old, at which age he would automatically be pensioned. Mr. Willey was pensioned on Dec. 1, receiving only six days of the pension before he died. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Miss Marguerite Bernice (1902-1975), Norfolk, Mrs. Seimer (Evangeline Julia 1890-1963) Kolho, Valley, three sons, Ben (John Benjamin 1891-1975) of Valley, Joseph (1900-1964), Norfolk, and Stephen Roger (1889-1970), Omaha. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. (second article) PIONEER RAILWAY MEN ATTEND WILLEY RITES FUNERAL SERVICES ARE HELD FOR VETERAN C. & N. W. ENGINEER Many veteran Chicago and Northwester railway men, some being on the pension list came from points all over the Norfolk district to attend funeral services held here Friday afternoon for their esteemed friend, John A. Willey, pioneer railroader, who had been a resident of Norfolk for many years. Floral offerings that were piled high about the casket, spoke the tributes the veteran railway men paid to Mr. Willey, who enjoyed a wide acquaintance over the Northwestern system. The Rev. L. W. Granity, Episcopalian church rector conducted the services from the church Friday afternoon. Among the out-of-town railway men who were here to pay tribute to their departed friend are Edward Bates, William Cooley, George Thompson, W. E. Drews, James Huston, E. O. Collins, all of Chadron, P. Landles, Casper, Wyo.; A. H. Ryle, Hastings, W. B. Walton, Long Pine; J. C. Ade and C. E. Conner, Council Bluffs, Ia; William Noyes and T. W. Shively, Lincoln; E. W. William and J. H. Hines, Fremont; S. C. Graham, Missouri Valley, Ia.; P. Welch, Joseph Schwarts, E. P. Kennedy and Nelson Shaw, Omaha. Honorary pallbearers were Patrick Crotty, C. J. Hibben, P. F. Killoran, and E. P. Kenney, all of Norfolk; W. B. Alton, Long Pine, and E. W. Williams, Fremont. The active pallbearers were: S. A. McNeeley, H. K. Demmon, J. E. Hourigan, C. T. McMunn, J. H. Beck, and A. G. Dodder, all of Norfolk. Mr. Willey passed away in an Omaha hospital last Monday evening, death resulting from heart trouble. He was born near Hamilton, Ontario, Dec. 25, 1856, moving with his parents to a farm in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1862. His first railroad job was that of braking on a local freight from Boone to Dunlap, Ia., during the summer of 1879 at $45 per month regardless of miles or hours. Later he went to Fort Dodge, Ia., and was employed by the Illinois Central railway as a brakeman at $40 a month for the first year. Mr. Willey soon decided that he preferred the head end of the train to the hind end and made application to T. W. Place, then master mechanic at Waterloo, Ia., for a job as fireman. He worked in that capacity until 1883 when he was examined and promoted to engineer. Mr. Willey was an engineer on the Illinois Central until May, 1885. Then he went to Missouri Valley, Ia., where he hired out as an engineer. At that time, the old F. E. and M. V. railway, which later was taken over by the Northwestern, was extending its lines west from Valentine, Neb. From 1891 to 1904, Mr. Willey was road foreman on the Northwestern. After quitting the road foreman's job, he returned to the engine, until about two and one-half months before his death. Mr. Willey was in very few accidents, the worst one being in October, 1885, when his engine plunged through a bridge that had been burned out near Wisner. Thirteen cars piled on top of the engine all being destroyed by fire. Besides Mrs. Willey, he is survived by two daughters, Miss Marguerite, Norfolk, Mrs. Eva Kolbo, Valley, three sons, Joseph, Norfolk, Ben Sioux City, and Roger, Omaha. Burial was made in Prospect Hill cemetery. (notes) Birth Location: Hamilton, Wentworth, Canada West, British Colonial America (the birthplace listed reflects the change in name of the town and area.) Mother: Parmelia Seymore (approx birth/death 1820-1880) One child died in childhood: Maurice E (1897-1899)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Austin “Honest John” Willey's memorial?
John Austin “Honest John” Willey's memorial is located at: Prospect Hill Cemetery, Norfolk, Madison County, USA.
When did John Austin “Honest John” Willey death?
John Austin “Honest John” Willey death on 6 Dec 1926 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Austin “Honest John” Willey's memorial?
Latitude: 42.0407982
Longitude: -97.4289017

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Dora Barbara Sacquety Willey

(1869 - 1928)

Children

Maurice E Willey

(1897 - 1899)

Joseph “Joe” Willey

(1900 - 1964)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Prospect Hill Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0407982, -97.4289017

2. Saint Paul Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0438995, -97.4244003

3. New Lutheran Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0397900, -97.4223600

4. Trinity Epsicopal Church Columbarium
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0317000, -97.4191000

5. Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0553017, -97.4282990

6. Norfolk State Hospital Old Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0535400, -97.3733100

7. Norfolk State Hospital New Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0475500, -97.3698300

8. Zion Cemetery
Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0421982, -97.3638992

9. Christ Lutheran Cemetery
Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0433006, -97.3636017

10. Best Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0466710, -97.5231107

11. Immanuel Cemetery
Hadar, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1091995, -97.4608002

12. Spring Branch Cemetery
Spring Branch Township, Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0789400, -97.3297400

13. Allbery Cemetery
Norfolk, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9738998, -97.5246964

14. Trinity Cemetery
Hoskins, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1055984, -97.3274994

15. E U B Cemetery
Hoskins, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1137900, -97.3015700

16. Hoosier Hollow Pioneer Cemetery
Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9900017, -97.2814026

17. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Battle Creek, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0060997, -97.5916977

18. Lutheran Cemetery
Battle Creek, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9831009, -97.6010971

19. Union Cemetery
Battle Creek, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9810982, -97.6010971

20. Bega Cemetery
Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0736008, -97.2343979

21. Swedish Cemetery
Winside, Wayne County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1706400, -97.3297400

22. Belz Cemetery
Stanton, Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9528008, -97.2619019

23. Bethlehem Cemetery
Stanton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0332985, -97.2241974

24. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8877983, -97.3972015