John Howard Willman, 86, of Lake Wylie, SC passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025 at Piedmont Medical Center. 

Mr. Willman was born March 10, 1939 in Hackensack, NJ.  He was preceded in death by this parents, Roy and Jean Brown Willman, and brother, Roy Willman. 

Survivors are his wife of 24 year, Mary Lynn (Tootsie) Altman Willman, son Joshua Willman and daughter Whitney Willman of New Hampshire, stepson Francis Luerssen III (Tina) of Spokane, WA, and stepdaughter Remy Luerssen Pangle (Jeremy) of Strasburg, VA.  One granddaughter, Ella Grace Pangle, and two grandsons, Francis Mac Luerssen and Tucker John Luerssen. 

John will always be remembered for his willingness to help people and his exceptional ability to fix almost anything from furniture, to old cars, household maintenance and toys, but never anything that involved a computer or a smartphone, which was his Achilles heel.  He spent years playing soccer and later coached soccer and helped build a soccer field in Merrimac, MA.  And in Lake Wylie, he found his calling helping families put their loved ones to rest at River Hills Cemetery columbarium and making sure everything was perfect.  

He and Tootsie made many happy memories together, including their fun times with friends in the Avanti social group and the Lake Wylie Yacht Club.  He enjoyed playing golf at River Hills Country Club and was active in the River Hills Lions Club until recent years.  One of his favorite memories was his first and only hole in one while playing golf with his wife and friends at the Plantation Course on Edisto Island, SC. 

In his younger years, he enjoyed restoring an Austin Healy, and never lost his love for classic sports cars.   He was also an avid reader, and inherited his love for music from his mother, who was a classically trained pianist.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, Oct. 12th at M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 4820 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC with Rev. Bob Jack officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM before the service.  A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after the service at the River Hills Marina Club at 54 Marina Road, Lake Wylie, SC. 

Memorials may be made to the River Hills Emergency Squad, 150 Heritage Dr., Lake Wylie, SC 29710.

M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Mr. Willman.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.