Willis "Chick" Laraway, 88, of New Ulm passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at the Oak Hills Living Center surrounded by his family.

Funeral services and a celebration of Willis' life will be held on Saturday, September 17, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm with Deacon David Heise officiating. Willis will be proudly laid to rest with his fellow veterans in the Minnesota State Veteran cemetery at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.

Visitation is from 10 am – 12 pm with the memorial service at the funeral home to follow.

To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guest book, go to www.mvfh.org

He is survived by his wife, Mary of 64 years, his children; Steve (Peggy), of St Cloud, Jane (John) Kerr of Monument, Colorado, Dean (Shirley) of New Ulm, and Juli (Paul) Halverson of Shoreview; nine grandchildren, Anne, Stephanie, Mike, Amy, Alex, Kyle, Megan, Julia and Emma; two great grandchildren, Jack and Edie; brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Russell Laraway, and sister, June (Laraway) Hunerberg.

Willis was born in 1928 in Hutchinson to Warren and Florence (Baysinger) Laraway. He graduated from Stewart High School in 1946. After graduation, Willis entered the United States Navy where he was stationed in the Philippines. He loved his military service and was very proud to have served his country. To the very end he never missed a Veteran's Day parade, always enjoyed socializing with other veterans at any opportunity possible, and was most proud of displaying his "We Support our Troops" signs.

After his military service, Willis attended St Cloud State University and Dunwoody Technical College where he graduated with a degree in Construction Management and Structural Engineering.

He married Mary Jane Dillon in Olivia, Minnesota in 1952 and they moved to Minneapolis where he started his career working for Paper Calmenson & Co. In 1964 Willis, Mary and family moved to New Ulm where he founded, Laraway Roofing, Inc.

New Ulm was the Laraway home for 27 years where he was proud to raise his family, run his business, develop life-long friendships, and be active in Civic projects.

Willis found some of his greatest joy in being a licensed private pilot where he logged over 7,200 hours in the sky. He and Mary loved going to fly-ins, and visiting family all over the country.

In 1970, he purchased a cabin, "Up North" on Long Lake near Longville. He loved the cabin, and the fact that it was, and still is, a gathering place for family and friends. He loved that it will always be remembered as the place where the best of times are had, and memories are made. He believed in the preservation of the lake areas in Northern MN, and started the Long Lake Property Association where he served as a founding member and board member for many years.

In retirement Willis and Mary split their time between the cabin and Gold Canyon, Arizona as "snowbirds" where they made many great friends. In Arizona Willis joined an ATV riding club and over the years led many weekly rides into the desert and the Superstition Mountains with his 4-wheeling pals.

Memorials preferred to New Ulm Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Care, Oak Hills Living Center, Dunwoody Technical Institute or donor's choice.