INDUSTRY – Dr. Edward Willett, 86, of Industry, died Wednesday evening, the one year anniversary of his wife’s death, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born In Brockton, Mass., July 5, 1923 the son of Melvin and Ruby (Tarbell) Willett and received his education in Arlington schools graduating with the class of 1941. He continued his education at Northeastern University and later earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. On June 26, 1948, he married Frances C. Phillips at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Arlington. They made their home in Stoneham for many years before moving to Maine within the last few years to be near their daughter and son-in-law.
Dr. Willett was a professor of Finance (Emeritus) at Northeastern University where he served on the faculty from 1947-1985 and President of Willett Institute. He was the former chairman of the Consumers’ Council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, former vice chairman of the Consumer/Special Impact Committee of the U.S. Federal Energy Administration, and a former member of President Ford’s Consumer Advisory Council, and served on other national government committees. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Boston Security Analysts’ Society, and several other professional associations. He also was a past president of the Victorian Club of Boston, was a member of the British Charitable Society, and was a supporting member of the Mystic-Woburn, Royal Arch Chapter of the Masons.
Dr. Willett was the author or co-author of most Willett Institute tests. He also was the author of tests on personal finance and business statistics published by national publishing firms for universities as well as numerous other articles. In the late 1960s a Fortune Magazine article concerning variable annuities referred to the “ubiquitous Dr. Willett” since it seemed to the author of the article that every insurance company visited was using Dr. Willett and his text in their training programs. Since that time, he gave lectures for innumerable broker/dealer firms preparing individuals for most of their examinations given in the securities field. He was well known for his preparation course for the commodities examination. As a speaker, he presented seminars and lectures concerning “Tax Savings Investments,” “Options”, “Interest Rate Futures” as well as a series “Investments in Securities” aired on WGBH in Boston.
A highly motivated man, when it came to his career and interests, Edward was equally so when it came to the lives of his wife, Frances and daughters, Jane and Sara. He was a dedicated family husband and a man of generous soul and compassion. He will always be remembered for his ability to be there for them, in good times and in bad; his attentions never divided, only increased, as husbands, grandchildren, and great grandchildren entered the family circle. All decisions he and Frances made such as their vacation home in Madison, NH, their winter times on Sanibel Island, FL, and multitudes of family outings and trips, were always made with the extended family in mind. Yet most importantly, to all of us, was his ability to forgive and let go. Our family can only hope to honor him by living our lives using the qualities Edward showed us by just having lived his life.
He is survived by his daughters, Sara Wilk and her husband, Dennis of Industry and Jane Gunn and her husband Thomas of North Andover, Mass.; four grandchildren, Andrew Gunn of Andover, Mass., Amanda Lougee of South Hamilton, Mass., Brendan Gunn of Reading, Mass., and Travis Mustone of Essex, Mass.; five great grandchildren, Maya, Isabel, Alexis, Hunter, and Ethan; a sister-in-law, Georgetta Raustis of Industry. He was predeceased by his wife Frances, January 27, 2009.
Private family services will be held at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, with Rev. Dr. Richard Waddell, officiating. Interment will be later in the spring at the Kittery Point Cemetery in Kittery. The family suggests that those who desire, send memorial contributions in Edwards memory to Androscoggin Home Health Care and Hospice, PO Box 787, Wilton, ME 04294. Messages of condolences may be sent to info@wilesrc.com.
