Willard G. Carey

Willard G. Carey, WWII Veteran and retired business owner, passed into God's Loving Hands on September 2, 2025, three weeks shy of turning 101, after a brief illness at The Meadows Skilled Nursing Dallas while under the care of the VA Hospital/Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Willard lived for God, the love of his Country, and the Naval Service.

Born on September 20th, 1924, to George and Latona Carey in West Wyoming, Willard graduated from West Wyoming High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed his basic engineering course at Wentworth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, and then transferred to Rhode Island to complete his training. He then graduated from the US Naval training station in Sampson, New York. He completed his course of training for motor torpedo duty in Millville, Rhode Island. Willard was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1946 after serving in the Mediterranean Sea during WWII with Motor Torpedo Squadron 22.

After his discharge, he worked at the Westmoreland Mines to save enough to start a business. He then married Ruth M. Jones on August 7th, 1947, and they enjoyed 52 wonderful years of marriage.

In 1950, Willard pursued his dream of opening Carey's Sporting Goods, which he owned for 41 years before retiring in 1991. Carey's Sporting Goods was a place that offered not only knowledge of all sports but also friendships and camaraderie, where regulars would talk shop or commiserate over "the one that got away".

On June 15th, 1968, Willard was inducted into the Imperial Council of the Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Masonic Shrine of North America, Irem Temple of Wilkes Barre. And he was a member of the Irem Temple Country Club, Dallas, PA. Willard was also a member of Mason's Lodge 468, Wyoming, PA. Willard was a life member of West Wyoming Hose Company No. 1, a volunteer for many years at the Weinberg Food Bank in Kingston. PA, and a member of the Wyoming Businessmen’s Association.

Both Willard and his wife, Ruth, were devoted members of the Wyoming United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Board of Trustees and dedicated many hours to supporting his church through volunteering for its various activities. He was also a member of the Church's bowling team for many years.

Willard and Ruth made many memories traveling with their group of friends, along with Ruth's brother, Howard, and sister-in-law, Bernadine. They visited many states, islands, and took many cruises. They were also avid golfers, and Sundays were made for golfing after church with their close-knit group, Rosemary & Victor Musloski and Clyde & June Stevens, to many different courses over many years. Of course, being an avid sportsman, he enjoyed all hunting and fishing trips. He most enjoyed his time at the cabin with his son Kirk, which was owned by several relatives and friends in Winham Twp. Many close friends and cousins shared the best of times at their cabin, "Blue Ridge Sportsman’s Club on Golden Hill.”

Willard is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth M. Carey; his sister-in-law and right-hand in the store, Rosemary Musloski; his best friend and brother-in-law, Victor Musloski; his brother-in-law, Howard Jones; and his wife, Bernadine.

He is survived by his son Kirk W. Carey and his wife MaryEllen of Wyoming, his pride and joy, granddaughter, Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace and spouse Jeffrey Ryan Pace, Duryea, and four great-grandchildren, who, even when he couldn't visit anymore, still asked about them every day and kept up with knowing about their activities: Colin Michael, Sophia Marie, Emilia Harper and Nathan Ryan.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, 10:30 AM at Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home, Inc., 504 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, September 5 from 4-7PM at the funeral home.

Interment will follow the Funeral Service on Saturday at Memorial Shrine Park, Wyoming with full Military Honors.

The Family would like to thank the Skilled Nursing staff at the Meadows Dallas, and especially the Hospice of the Sacred Heart staff and Dr. Kilduff, for their care and compassion throughout Willard's stay.