Per the wishes of Larry and his family, cremation rites have been accorded under the care of the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A celebration of life will take place in the near future to be announced. For online condolences or additional questions, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Larry was born on December 16, 1937, in Ira, Iowa, to parents Tom and Bertha (Brissel) Willits. He grew up in Marshalltown, graduating from Marshalltown High School with the class of 1956. He went on to play football at Simpson College, where he graduated with a degree in engineering.

Larry met the love of his life, Peggy Anderson, and the couple was united in marriage on August 30, 1969. They lived in several places around the United States, Parkville, MO, Trumbull, CT, Centreville, VA, Silverthorne, CO, and Pensacola, FL, before returning to Marshalltown, where they have since called home.

Larry’s professional career started with City Service after that he moved to Gulf Oil, where he worked for a brief period, and finally he worked for Mobil Oil for thirty years before retiring in 1995. He was very proud to work for mobile oil in New York City on 42nd street. He often shared stories about his career including selling lubricants in rural Nebraska all the way to long lunches in expensive restaurants in New York City.

Larry loved anything that had to do with being on the water: sailing, kayaking and boating, and ironically, he never learned to swim. He enjoyed traveling and cruises, and especially liked his trips to Pensacola, Florida and the Gulf Coast. He also enjoyed skiing and biking, and sharing stories with his family about his football days at Simpson.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Peggy; his children: Sarah (Gary) Supnick, of Tampa, FL, Nathen (Angie) Willits, of Marshalltown, IA and Joshua (Allie) Willits, of St. Augustine, FL; his grandchildren: Fiona, Alexis and Joshua; brother-in-law, Dick Oehlsen and his nephews: Eric and Mark Oehlsen.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Bertha Willits and his sister, Betty Oehlsen.