Duane L Willse

Duane L. Willse, 82, passed away at home on Friday, November 2, 2018.  He was born in Westfield, New York and raised in suburban Buffalo. He graduated from Lancaster High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and tennis. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI; and started his engineering career at Sundstrand Aviation in Rockford, IL. He served his country with the U.S. Army at the Army Chemical Center at Edgewood Arsenal, MD, attaining the rank of SP5.  Upon separation he was employed by Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, CT and had a long career as an aircraft systems engineer. Duane was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine D. (Leonard) Willse in 2000. He is survived by his children, Andrew J. Willse and his wife Julie of San Francisco, CA, Christine L. Sohn and her husband Eric of San Anselmo, CA, and Jonathan D. Willse and his wife Amanda of Longmeadow, MA; two grandchildren, Lindsay and Ephraim Sohn, two step-grandchildren, Kathryn and Curtis Chase; his brother Hudson D. Willse and his wife Janet of Tulsa, OK; and close friend Marion Germino of Longmeadow. Family and friends are invited to meet for calling hours on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Family and friends are also invited to  A Celebration of Life which will be held on Saturday Nov. 10, 2018  from 4:00PM – 6:00PM, at 215 Franklin Road, Longmeadow. The burial is private in the Longmeadow Cemetery.  His family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the staff at Interim Healthcare and Spectrum Hospice for their compassionate care to Duane.  Memorial contributions in Duane’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  www.forastiere.com