Curtis Lee Willett, Jr.

Col. Curtis Lee Willett, Jr., US Army Retired of Charleston, SC  departed  this life  Saturday,  January   15, 2022. He was  95.   He was  born December 31, 1926 in Columbus, Ga. the son of Curtis Willett and Minnie Johnson Willett who moved to Charleston in 1941.

Col. Willett was  a World War II veteran having served in the  U S Coast Guard in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.  He later joined the Army and  rose to the rank of Colonel and returned  to Charleston  upon  retirement.  He served  in many capacities in an illustrious career for which his awards  included  the Legion of Merit with one oak cluster, which is the  military's second highest honor for meritorious service; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation; and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm which was presented by the government of South Vietnam. His service in Vietnam was as staff officer at MACV Hq, reporting directly to General Creighton W. Abrams Jr., Commander General. His last assignment before retiring was as Defense Attache at the US Embassy of Accra, Ghana. Col. Willett retired July 1, 1979.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Therese Daley Willett, his daughter Victoria Willett, and his sister Patricia Willett Berry.  Surviving are  his son Curtis L. Willett III (Lee), grandson Kile Mathews Willett (Megan), and two great-granddaughters, Avery and Aynsley. Also a sister, Jane Willett Murray; nieces Jenny Creson (Gene), Elaine Murray, Allison Shea, Kathi Cunningham (Mark), Anne Gelwicks, and Sandi Metts (George), Terrie Osorio, Julianna Johnston Garcia (Jeremy), and nephews Rick Berry and Hugh (Bo) Berry Jr, Keith Berry, Matthew Shea, David Massie (Erin), Chris Cunningham, Andy Cunningham and Eric Creson (Ashley).

Private services were held Wednesday, January 20, 2022 at James A. McAlister Funeral Chapel. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.