Willis E. Lutz, 88, of Bloomville passed away on Dec. 5, 2023, at his home after a brief illness. The cornerstone of the Lutz family was born on Oct. 13, 1935, in Bloomville. He was the firstborn son of Eugene George and Mary Orcelia (Thompson) Lutz.
He attended the Bloomville School that merged to be South Kortright Central School during his attendance. A proud dairy farmer who worked the family dairy farm during his childhood, then later partnered with his brother Richard. He, along with Richard, owned and operated “Lutzland Farms” until 1997. During his time farming, 50 plus years, he won the 1983 Outstanding Conservation Farming award. Throughout his time farming Willis also volunteered with Bloomville Fire Department.
In 1980 Willis became an original patient for the Bassett Farm Safety and Health Project in which Doctors May and Pratt observed the respiratory illness (Farmer’s Lung) on farmers to help prevent future farmers from developing the illnesses that plagued him.
In 1998 he started working at the Oneonta Block Company and Pickett’s Lumber. After several years he moved on to Roger Karn’s Ford as a detail, transport, and parts delivery man. In retirement he began making folk art and woodworking for which he won several blue ribbons at the Delaware County Fair.
On one fortuitous day Diana B. Young was brought to the farm by Diane Gould soon to be Lutz. From that day on they have been together. They married on Aug. 2, 1964, at the Sidney Methodist Church in Sidney. During their 59 years of marriage, they were blessed with three children - Linda, Eugene, and Nancy.
His greatest joy was spending time with this family, spoiling his grandchildren, gardening in his flower bed, woodcrafts, and if you sat down next to him telling wonderful stories.
He is predeceased by his parents Eugene G. and Mary O. (Thompson) Lutz, son Eugene Owen Lutz, sisters Wilma Lutz and Margaret (Lutz) Steele, brother Richard T. Lutz, brothers-in law John Wassenaar, Bruce Francisco and Richard Stuver.
He is survived by his wife Diana B. Lutz, daughters Linda H. Lutz (Peter Mauer) and Nancy J. (Daniel) Shaw, grandchildren Owen M. (Serena) Thomas, Holly A. Thomas, and Rachel J. Shaw; sisters Mary Louise Francisco and Patricia Wassenaar, sisters–in-law Linda W. Stuver and Diane G. Lutz, brother-in-law Donald Steele, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling hours are Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford. A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13 11 a.m. at the funeral home; burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, 14881 State Highway 23, Prattsville.
In lieu of flowers a contribution in memory of Willis may be made to the Bloomville Fire Department, 243 Scotch Hill Road, Bloomville NY 13739.
