Willis V. Bouchey

Willis V. Bouchey, age 95 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Pioneer Golden Estate Assisted Living of Clare. On May 11, 1930, Willis was born one of eight children to John and Cecil (Cook) Bouchey in Clare where he remained a proud, lifelong resident. When Willis was just fourteen, he was introduced to his first love of farming, which he enjoyed doing his entire life. On September 1, 1951, Willis was united in marriage to his greatest love, Betty Funnell, and he remained by her side every day for the next seventy-four years that followed until the time of Betty’s passing just ten weeks before Willis in January of 2026. A few years after their marriage, Willis began his second career for thirty-two years as a cheesemaker and foreman for Clare’s Kraft plant until it’s closing in 1989. When he wasn’t tending to his hay or dairy cattle on his eighty-acre farm south of Clare, Willis enjoyed fishing and camping around Michigan with his family, especially trips to the Buckley Antique Tractor Festival. He also enjoyed wintering in Central Florida for many years, playing cards with his children and grandchildren, and he was a founding and active member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Clare. Willis is survived by his four children Doug (Jane) Bouchey of St. Croix, Jean (Larry) Jackson, Judy (Scott) Hacker, and John Bouchey, all of whom reside in Clare and his grandchildren Marci (Ryan) Fritz, Jillian (Brent) Nixon, Shawn (Tracey) Jackson, Matthew (Kimberly) Jackson, Sara (Bryan) Kieffer, Serena (Tim) Bentley, and Kevin (Britani) Hacker, and his thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Bouchey, his parents John and Cecil Bouchey, his infant daughters Marjory and Marcy, and his siblings Clifton Bouchey, Charlotte Livingston, Lida Myers, Janet Simrau, Jack Bouchey, Ilene Caulkins, Vergilene Schrader, and infant brother Lewis Bouchey. A funeral in honor of Willis will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. at the Clare Chapel of the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Winningham officiating. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Monday the 23rd from 10:00 A.M. to the time of service at 12:00 P.M. Burial will follow in the Cherry Grove Cemetery of Clare, and a luncheon will be held at the Clare Moose Lodge starting at 1:30 P.M. Memorial contributions in honor of Willis may be directed to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Clare. For those unable to attend services, online condolences may be shared at www.stephenson-wyman.com

Willis V. Bouchey

May 11, 1930 - March 16, 2026