Brad Dodd
Willis Adrian Dodd Jr, age 80 entered into eternal sleep on January 14, 2015, at the Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas.
Born April 7, 1934 on the family farm in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Willis and Esther Dodd.
His family moved from South Dakota to Monroe Center, IL. in 1945 when he was 10 years old. He attended school there, where he met and later married Neva Rae Jensen in 1954, enjoying 60 years of marriage
He quit school in his senior year when he broke his ankle and couldn't continue to play football, but later finished his education in the army.
Returning to civilian life, he was employed as a service tech by Martin Gustafson's Inc., a home appliance retailer in Rockford, IL. and later became the manger of their Service Dept. Retiring in 1987 he started his own business, Will's Appliance Repair in Loves Park, IL where his slogan was "Where There's A Will There's A Way". He sold the business and fully retired in 1997.
Throughout his life he enjoyed travel, visiting Canada, Martinique Island, Extapa Mexico, Jamica, Bahamas, Europe, and also took several Caribbean cruises. Additionally, in his early years he enjoyed pheasant and deer hunting, fishing, boating, water skiing, camping with his family and extended family and golfing. In his later years he and his wife took up house boating along the upper Mississippi River, then into touring in their RV, until 1997, when they became snowbirds, going south during the colder winter months . A few years later they became Winter Texans, wintering the past 14 years at the Casa Del Sole RV Park located in Donna Tx. Where he again took up billards.
After retiring he and Neva relocated to Lake Carroll, IL where, weather permitting, they could golf, boat, fish and swim. During the summer months he especially enjoyed the daily 10 o'clock golf group.
Preceded in death by his parents, brother Norm Dodd, sisters Donna Lawson, Rae Thompson, Kay Rippentrop, and grandson Brandon Dodd.
Survived by his wife Neva Jensen Dodd, sons Craig (Cheryl) Dodd, Jeff (Julie) Dodd, Brad (Gail) Dodd, grandchildren Shane Dodd, Justin (Tanya) Dodd, Matthew (Karlee) Dodd, Amanda Dodd, Bill Salzer and great grandchildren Jeffery, Austin, Aryzona, Aryona, Cody, Kelcey, Briana. Sisters Patricia Dodd Jensen, Peggy Dodd Case, brother Jerry (Kathy) Dodd, brother-in Law David Thompson, Sister-in Law Patricia Johnson Dodd and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Funeral at Fitzgerald & Sons: Visitation 9:30 am to 11:00 am; Services 11:00 -12:00. Burial to immediately follow at the New Milford Cemetery. Lunchen at 1:00 pm at Eagles Club on 11th St. Rockford, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family