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Richard L. Wills

Richard Lee “Dick” Wills, 78 of Potter passed away on Sunday December 13, 2020 in Sidney, NE.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at the Prairie West Christian Church in Potter, NE with Pastor Warren officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Potter Community Cemetery. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel to sign Richard’s register book.

You may view Richard’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Potter Historical Foundation.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Richard’s care and funeral arrangements.

Richard Lee Wills was born February 17th, 1942 to Mattie and Willard Wills in Scottsbluff, NE. Richard grew up in Potter, NE working with his father on the family farm. He graduated from Potter High School in 1959 and attended Chadron State College. After his time at Chadron State, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy where he served in the Vietnam War. Following completion of his military service in 1967, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he took a job as a radar engineer for General Dynamics/Lockheed-Martin. He took great pride in his work, where he led the development of surface-to-air missile simulators, which were used to train U.S. pilots. While in Texas, Richard welcomed his son, Quintin, on June 4th, 1990. Following his retirement in 1998, Richard moved back to his hometown of Potter, NE where he raised his son.

During his retirement, Richard was an active member in the Potter community. He volunteered many hours of his time towards community improvement projects. The last of these was building a solar array to power the lights on the Potter “Coyote” that sits off I-80 just outside of town. He served as a member on both the Potter Historical Foundation and the Potter Community Improvement Group. Richard spent many mornings drinking pop with his coffee group at Bag’s Bar where he shared many stories and the latest news. In his free time, Richard had many hobbies which included tinkering in his shop, working on antique cars, electronics, home improvement projects and spending time with his new grandson, Parker.

Richard is survived by his son Quintin Wills and wife Taylor of Potter, NE, grandson Parker Wills of Potter, NE, sister Marilyn Nightingale of Sidney, NE, niece Lori Michelman and husband Cory of Lodgepole, NE, great-nephew Cooper Michelman of Lodgepole, NE, niece Tammy Stromer and husband Andrew of Killen, AL, great-nieces Ashley James of Tuscaloosa, AL and Katlyn Saucer of Uriah, AL, as well as numerous cousins.

Richard was proceeded in death by his parents Mattie and Willard Wills and brother-in-law Don Nightingale.

 

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