Willis C. Umstead

Willis Cranmer Umstead, 79, passed away Friday after a short battle with cancer. His wife and daughters were by his side. Willis was born and raised in Garner, the son of 2 educators, LW Umstead (principal of Garner High School) and Mildred Brogden Umstead (teacher at Garner High School). After graduating from Garner High School, he joined the US Marine Corp where he proudly served his country for two years. He then went on to graduate from NCSU with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and accepted a position with Kaiser Ag Chemical in Florida. After ten years, he returned to Garner to help manage the family farm and worked in construction equipment sales until his retirement. Willis was always ready to lend a hand and enjoyed sharing laughter and a sip of tootie pink with his friends. A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Garner United Methodist Church in Garner with a reception immediately following. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Pearce Umstead; his daughters, Cathy Umstead Kratt and husband, Bill Kratt, Beth Umstead Chesson, and six grandsons, Justin Studenberg, David Chesson, Zach Chesson, Adam Chesson, Eli Kratt and Ethan Kratt. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Garner United Methodist Church, Heart Full of Love, 201Methodist Drive, Garner, NC 27529.