February 19, 1934 – March 21, 2026
Robert A Willardson, was born on his grandparents’ farm on February 19, 1934, near Round Lake in Jackson County, Minnesota. Bob was the son of Lawrence and Eleanor (Bettinger) Willardson. He passed away on March 21, 2026 surrounded by his family at the Good Samaritan Home in Jackson, Minnesota at the age of 92.
Robert attended Jackson Schools. On June 26, 1950, at the age of 16 he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he earned his GED. He proudly served our country for the next 20 years. Throughout his enlistment he was stationed at many different bases and served on ten different ships. His main job ship boiler operator. On January 5, 1956, while home on leave, he was united in marriage to Faydeane Houts in Jackson, Minnesota. Faydeane joined Bob on his military journey, staying at the different bases rasing their four children while he was deployed to sea. Bob served in both Korea and Vietnam. Besides being a ship boiler operator, he also spent time at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where he taught future sailors. On November 26, 1969, Bob retired from the Navy. Upon retirement the family was living in San Diego, and Bob tried his hand at ship building. Bob and Faydeane soon purchased a farm in Petersburg, Minnesota and returned to their roots. He eventually returned to boiler operator for the power plant in Jackson, where he would finish out his full time working career.
Beginning in 1998, Bob and Faydeane enjoyed spending many winters in Florida and summers in Jackson, until their health forced them to choose just one. The roots of the midwest won and they returned to Jackson full time. Over the years they enjoyed traveling together; from the tip of Alaska to deep into Mexico. Bob could be found quite often reading a book. He enjoyed fishing and had a sweet tooth. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans, as well as a Fleet Reserve Member.
Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years Faydeane Houts of Jackson; his children Roger (Judy) Willardson of Estherville, Gail Caston of St. Cloud, MN, Kris Turek of Vero Beach, FL, and Robert (Rose) Williardson of Jackson, MN; eleven grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Lyril Evans of Texas; a sister-in-law Marcia Sauls of South Carolina; and two brothers-in-law David (Martha) Houts of California and Mike Houts of Texas.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Maurice and Barbara Lorriane Houts, sister Virginia (Bob) Sangl, and a granddaughter Shirley Anne Willardson, and grandson Travis Eugene Gilleland.
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