Willie P. Carel Obituary (1948 - 2020)

Willie P. Carel, 71 years of age, of Beatrice passed away unexpectedly at the Jefferson County Hospital in Fairbury, NE Wednesday afternoon, April 1, 2020. He was born on November 22, 1948 in Beatrice to Harry and Gretchen (Milke) Carel and attended Beatrice High School. Willie served his country in the United States Navy from November 22, 1965 until June 28, 1967. He and Barbara Dickinson were married on December 28, 1977. He was a master carpenter at Store Kraft Manufacturing for over 30 years, retiring in 2010. Willie enjoyed fishing, hunting, yard work, the outdoors, riding in the country, woodworking, and collected guns and fishing poles. He also enjoyed time with his cat Ollie. Survivors include his wife Barbara; sons Ronnie Sweem (Tracey) of Beatrice and Jason Carel (Kara) of Beatrice; step children Adam Leach (Samantha) of Wymore, Aaron Leach (Emme) of Beatrice, Amy Keane (Deana Janssen) of Beatrice, Charles Leach of Lincoln, and Nate Leach of Beatrice; 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; siblings Harry "Butch" Carel (Linda), Linda Langdale (Bob), and Nancy Barnes (Francis), all of Beatrice. He was preceded in death by his parents. Private family graveside services (due to the pandemic situation) will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, April 6, 2020 at the Blue Springs Cemetery with military honors by the US Navy. There will be no public visitation. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge. Sign Willie's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice