Berwick- Melvin L Willey, 87 a lifelong resident of Berwick, died on July 5, 2024 at Pinnicle Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sanford following a period of failing health.

Born in Berwick on November 12, 1936 he was a son of the late Alvy and Amelia (Poole) Willey and attended local schools.

Following school he enlisted in and proudly served in the United States Air Force, transitioning to the Air National Guard until his retirement. He continued US Government service retiring from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a pipefitter.

Following his service in the Air Force, he married his loving wife of sixty-one years Sandra Lee Willey on September 1, 1961.

Together they made their home first on Blackmore Road while their family was young, before making a home on Knox Lane for many years and lastly when he was seventy, he built a home on the property where he grew up on Hubbard Road.

Mel was an active member of the Berwick Fire Department for many years and served for over fifty years in the Berwick American Legion as well as the Somersworth VFW. Early on he was a founding member of the South Berwick Rescue Squad.

He and Sandra enjoyed the trip of a lifetime spending several months camping across the Country and exploring Alaska. They continued to make a number of trips several to the St Lawrence waterway, where they especially liked watching the boats traverse the Locks.

Mel enjoyed his time motorcycling, his beloved dogs, chatting with the breakfast crowd at Mainley Local Yolks, and feeding the chipmunks.

His first love was unquestionably his family, he is survived by a son John L. Willey and wife Theresa, a daughter Melissa Moynahan and husband Kevin, a son David Willey and wife Tammy,  grandchildren; Matthew and wife Katie Willey, Adam and wife Kayla Willey, Natasha and her husband John Bernard, Ashlyn and her husband Kyle Redfearn, Chelsea and her husband Joe Hewitt, and Laura Willey as well as several great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday July 16, 2024 at 9 am in the Evergreen Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Berwick with Pastor Jeffrey Pelkey of the First Congregational Church of North Berwick officiating. A time of sharing and refreshment will follow at the South Berwick Police Headquarters, 1 Farmgate Road South Berwick Maine 03908. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com, in lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Charles S. Hatch American Legion Post # 79, POB 977 Berwick Maine 03901-0977 . Care for the Willey family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey and Son Funeral Home.