Esther Wills

Esther Wills

Age 87 of Coal City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, September 15, 2021 at her home.

Born January 22, 1934 in Coal City, Illinois, Esther Marie was the daughter of Peter and Mary Marie (Togliatto) Giacomo. She was raised in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1952. On June 4, 1954, Esther married Donald Eugene Wills in Morris, and together they made a home and raised a family together.

Esther worked as an administrative assistant for the Boy Scouts of America at the Rainbow Council for many years until her retirement, and was a charter member of the Coal City Area Club. A self-taught seamstress, Esther was an extremely talented with handiwork on various mediums; knitting, crocheting, quilting and in needlepoint. She enjoyed camping and classic country music, and was an exceptional cook. Esther enjoyed writing to her pen pal Collin of more than 50 years, which later took her across the globe to meet in New Zealand. Family was always important to Esther, and she cherished spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her children: Melanie Wills-Watson-Williams of Cary, North Carolina and Mike Wills (Suzanne Fritz), Mitch Wills and Michele (Chad) Payton, all of Coal City; six grandchildren: Katie (Michael) Sinclair, Donald Wayne Watson, Jonathon Wills, Tori Wills, Wills Payton and Abby Payton; three great grandchildren: Oliver Sinclair, Isla Sinclair and Branson Mitchell; one brother Joe (Mary) Giacomo of Coal City; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Norman (JoAnn) Wills, Paul (Emily) Wills and Martha Jean Walker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 2011, granddaughter, Corrie Watson and son-in-law: Mickey Watson.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 N. Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service 12:00 p.m. Per current state and CDC mandate, masks and facial coverings are to be worn while within the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery, where Esther will be laid to rest with her late husband.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Esther’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choosing.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Esther’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Esther-Wills

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815-634-2125)