Belden Joseph Wills

MONONA – Belden Joseph Wills, age 89, of Monona, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. He was born on Sept. 30, 1926, in Chicago Ill., the son of Robert and Alice (nee Sharkey) Wills. Belden proposed on his first date and eventually married his true love, Norma Jean Ulmer, on June 11, 1955, in Chicago, where they began their family. The family moved to Door County in 1967 where Norma and Belden stayed for 40 years before moving to Monona for their retirement. As a teen, Belden sailed the Great Lakes on a Merchant Vessel before joining the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He was an electrician by trade, specializing in instrumentation and radio communications, having an Amateur and Commercial radio operator license. Belden eventually started his own business as an Electrician and Building contractor. He was a member of I.B.E.W. Local No. 134 (Chicago) for over 60 years and I.B.E.W. Local No. 158 (Green Bay). He was a First Responder and Planning Commission Member for the town of Egg Harbor. His motto was "Where there's a Wills, there's a Way." Belden's sense of humor and willingness to help others endeared him to those who worked with him or got to know him socially. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, was a master problem solver and a life-long learner. Belden is preceded in death by his wife, his sister Alicemarie (Bud) Keeley and older brother Robert Jr. He is survived by his three children: Deborah (Larry) Wills Benson, Kenneth (Linda) Wills; Karen (Tom) Biebel; six grandchildren: Madeline Benson, Derek and Margaret Biebel, Andrew, Tanner and Paxton Wills. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Carimi and the staff at Unity Point Meriter Clinic in Monona; Dr. Hughes and the staff at UW Health Park Street Cardiovascular Medicine, Oakwood East Rehabilitation Staff and his friends at the "Friendship Rock" table. Thank you also to Visiting Angels for their care as well as his team from Agrace Hospice. And, last but not least, thank you to all the neighborhood children for their endless hours of driveway chalk drawings and mail box artwork. There are so many to thank and we appreciate all his caregivers over the years. A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 2 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday. Memorials in Belden's name may be gifted to EMMCA, East Madison/Monona Coalition of the Aging, 4142 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420