John Willett Obituary

John Ed "JW" Willett, 86, of North Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025. Born in Sanford, NC, to H.L. and Rachel Willett, JW filled his life with hard work, laughter, and the kind of friendships that turned neighbors into family. He grew up on a farm, where long days and tough chores instilled the work ethic, resilience, and steady nature that defined him for the rest of his life. In the late 1970s, JW moved from Sioux City, Iowa, to North Myrtle Beach, where he watched the first "A Place at the Beach" condominiums rise along Crescent Beach and Shore Drive. From those early days, he built J.W. Property Management and Maintenance, where he cared for both the properties and the people who called them home until his retirement in 2014. Whether it was fixing what was broken, keeping things running, or simply stopping in to check on a neighbor, JW gave his work-and his friendships-everything he had. Now and then he'd relax at the Sand Bar or Calli Baker's, sharing laughs and stories with friends who knew him best. Sports were one of JW's lifelong passions. In Iowa, he coached Little League baseball, helping kids learn the game he loved. Later in North Myrtle Beach, he organized Thursday morning golf outings, took pride in two career holes-in-one, and enjoyed his time with the Santee Cooper bowling league. He loved to watch a good game as much as he loved to play one. More than anything, JW loved his family. In his later years, his favorite place in the world was his front porch, where he sat in the sunshine with his wife Pat, their dog, and rescue cats-every cat affectionately nicknamed "Jelly Belly." With his back scratcher in hand to keep them all happy, he "watched the world go by." JW is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; daughter Brenda Willett Smith and her husband, Art, and daughter-in-law Elaine Willett; grandchildren Amelia Willett, Zoe Willett, Bruin Slaughter, and Seneca Slaughter; and sisters Erna and Myrtle. He is also survived by family members Bee Borromeo and her husband, Ed Blust, and Kimberly Slaughter and her husband, Barrett. He was preceded in death by his son, Cliff Willett; his first wife, Marilyn Willett; and siblings Kate, Kemp, Max, James, Harvey, Robert, Sylvia, Andy, and Phebe. A service celebrating JW's life will be held at a later date, with interment at Buffalo Cemetery in Sanford, NC. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach, PO Box 3369, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. Special thanks are extended to Agape Hospice for their compassionate care. JW found joy in simply watching the world go by. We found joy in having him in ours-and we will miss him every single day. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Ed ("JW") Willett, please visit our floral store.