Roland Bruce Willett

Roland Bruce Willett “RB” returned home on June 23, 2024, after living 94 years on this earth. Born on November 27,1929, in Bethesda, MD to Grace Irene Caton and David Ellis Willett, he raised his family in Rockville, MD until retiring to Jefferson, MD with his wife, Marie Willett. RB was surrounded by his loving family until his final days and passed in the night with his wife by his side, who he was married to for 74 years.  As age leads us to repeat ourselves, Marie, who grew as present as pin point and honest as rain in her final days, announced to everyone that Roland was a good man, a kind man and the love of her life and just how grateful she was that she chose him.  He hung on for her, even as his body failed him, so deeply did he care for looking after those he loved.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents, his mother who raised him and his father who passed away when he was less than 1 year of age.  Also by his siblings; Ella, Raymond, Gil, Carol, Alton, Evelyn & Helen.

Surviving him are his three children, Linda (husband Ron White), Dave (wife Mary Willett) and Sherry (husband Gerard Dillon), who have remained friends and cared for him until this day, working together as his health declined in his final few years, each contributing in the way that they best could and with good humor. Their dad loved to smile and appreciated their company throughout life.  Poppy has 7 grandkids and 6 great grandkids so far.

Roland worked for Fawcett Printing on the press for 43 years, working long hours and ensuring his family was well cared for.  He loved to hunt and had a keen eye for the natural world. He spent lots of time camping and wintered in Myrtle Beach with Marie after retirement.  He loved a good cookout and country rides with his daughters and spending time boating, playing golf and watching his talented carpenter son build; houses, swings, decks & birdhouses to name a few.  He sure appreciated a spotless pick-up truck and tending to his lawn on his tractor, grandson in his lap. He really enjoyed Animal Planet and watching any show about nature or animal care. He also loved sharing an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee, black, and a good sunset while watching the light move across the sky, telling stories and pondering the mysteries of life.
He loved to listen and to look for people’s strengths and encourage them.

He was cautious and protective of all the young ones. Pop had a voice that could move mountains, it was as deep as a desert canyon and as firm as an oak.  His hands could snap a tree in two, but never would. They prefer to hold children and his wife’s hand, spoon feed the grandkids ice cream and wrap them up on his lap while they napped.  He loved to eat and could finish a meal before you took your first bite, but that’s because he didn’t want to waste time chewing when he could be chatting with you, which he loved to do.  He never really raised his voice, because he didn’t need to. Although he did love to whistle.

He attended the episcopal church and appreciated the sincerity of prayer.

He loved his people so much, he did not want to leave them, and all of us that love him, pray he enters fully into a love beyond any he has ever known.  He gave his life to care for all those given to him to care for, willingly and gratefully and we trust God in his infinite generosity will return every blessing tenfold and cover over every fault.

The family would like to thank the many helping hands who supported Roland in the final year of his life, the staff at Country Meadows and Frederick Hospice, who counseled, supported and made friends with Roland.  He was quick to make a friend and although the decline of his health was accompanied by the hardship of illness and loss of mobility, he navigated each storm with humility, steady kindness and politeness to all those who cared for him, forever generous in his ability to smile.

The family will receive friends at Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes, P.A., 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, Maryland, on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 11 am to 12 Noon at which time A Celebration of Life will begin. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation somewhere that is meaningful to your own heart.  He appreciated seeing people make the choice and receive support to live a sober life and he especially loved wilderness and protecting animals, so organizations dedicated to recovery or the care of wildlife would be fitting.

“When the final veil is lifted and the wisdom behind every difficulty we faced is revealed, we will dissolve, overwhelmed by God’s Love”