Willard Heimstra

World War II

Army Veteran

Willard Heimstra, 90, died November 26, at his family home in Monroe, surrounded by his loved ones. Born January 22, 1919, in Britsom, Netherlands, he was the son of Bertha deHaan and Willem Heimstra.

A recent resident of Nunnawauk Meadows, Newtown, Mr Heimstra was a lifelong carpenter-builder and woodcrafter and was employed by the State of Connecticut at Southbury Training School. He won numerous local awards for his Amish wagon replicas and other crafts. In his early years he worked on farms with his family and later was a horseman for the Golden’s Bridge Hounds in New York and with the Fairfield County Hunt Club.

A World War II Army  veteran  in the South Pacific, he was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a member of the Stepney Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of the choir at the Newtown United Methodist Church. He was a bowler and card player at the Monroe and Newtown Senior Centers.

Mr Heimstra is survived by his daughter Mary Heimstra Orsillo and her husband, Thomas; two sisters; and a grandson. He was predeceased by his wife of 32 years Kathleen P. Heimstra, and a sister Gertrude Hallenbeck. Mr. Heimstra is also survived by his former wife Ruth C. Heimstra of Southbury. In addition, he leaves behind his longtime companion, Viola Sanford; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life took place December 1. Interment in Stepney Cemetery will be private.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482, or The Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, Connecticut Chapter, 372 Danbury Road, Suite 200, Wilton CT 06897.  To leave an online condolence, go to www.honanfh.com.

The Newtown Bee       December 4, 2009