Gary E. Wills, 77, of Port Austin died Friday February 21, 2025, at McLaren Bay Region in Bay City.  He was born October 26, 1947 in Bad Axe, son of the late Gerald E. and Lorraine (Davis) Wills.  He was raised on a small farm west of Ubly.  He went to Appin Country School and graduated from Ubly High School.

Gary served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970 at NAVCOMSTA Farfan Canal Zone, Balboa, Panama.  He also served as a Radio Operator aboard the USS Hunley (AS-31).  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  Gary belonged to the American Legion Frank Horetski Post #499 in Port Austin and was a past Commander of the TVO Post #1 in Ubly.

He was employed at Hamill Manufacturing (seat belt) in Bad Axe until the plant closed.  He then moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where, a few months later, he married his wife, Joan on November 6, 1982.  During that time he worked for a mining and oil field supply business .  A few years later they moved back to Michigan to be near family and Lake Huron.  Gary was employed by Osentoski Equipment in Pigeon until his retirement.

Gary enjoyed pleasure boating, snow skiing, reading, and partying with family and friends.

He is survived by hi wife, Joan of Port Austin; his brother, Thomas Wills of Ubly; his sister-in-law, Eileen A. (Philip) Gayari of Caseville; his brother-in-law, William C. (Jacqueline) Goretski of St. Clair Shores; his nephew, Christopher Goretski of San Francisco; and his niece, Aimee Goretski of New York City.  He is also survived by Rhonda Ulfig of Ubly; Raymond McGee of Florida; and his great nieces, Maddie, Vanessa, and Kelsey.

Gary was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Chester Goretski; his mother-in-law, Lottie Goretski; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Wills.

Memorials may be made in Gary's name to the Port Austin Reef Light Association, PO Box 546, Port Austin, MI 48467.

Arrangements have been handled by the Knoblock Funeral Home in Kinde.