NASHVILLE
February 28, 1953 – April 3, 2023.
With great sorrow, the Wills family shares that Howard W. Wills, a resident of Nashville, Indiana, passed away on the evening of April 3, 2023.
Howard was born on February 28, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois to Howard A. Wills, Jr. and Evelyn V. Wills (Wonnacott) who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his stepfather Edward Wonnacott and stepsister Jean Ince. He is survived by his wife Candy Wills, brother Raymond (Paula) Wills, stepbrother Don Wonnacott, stepsister Debbie (Jeff) Kochis, and nephews Eric (Gina) Wills, Nicholas (Sarah) Wills, and Isaac Wills. He was a devoted great uncle to Grace, Tyler, Lyla, Jay, Cory, and Oliver Wills. He also had numerous step-nieces/nephews and great step-nieces/nephews.
Howard was a free spirit and lovingly referred to by his family and friends as “Howie.” Howard utilized his dual-degrees in English and journalism from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree in education from Indiana University as a published non-fiction author and poet, entrepreneur, Story Inn Tavern’s philosopher, and beloved educator. His varied career path also included reporting for the Hammond Times, ship rigging on the three-masted Balclutha in San Francisco, bartending at Uncle Bunky’s Border Bar on Milwaukee Avenue, and teaching at Many Farms High School on a Navajo Reservation in Arizona.
Howard recently “retired” but continued to manage his properties and teach as an adjunct lecturer of English at Ivy Tech Community College. He prioritized spending time with Candy at their home. They found peace and happiness together on their property with a pond in Brown County, 10 minutes from his beloved state park.
Visitation will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus, Indiana, on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. with a brief service to follow at 1:30 p.m. In keeping with Howard’s wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia &Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org.
We will all dearly miss Howard’s smile, laugh, wit, generosity, insight, and enthusiasm for life. Arrangements entrusted to Community Funeral Care, Edinburgh.
