Carl Willmann

Carl V. Willmann, age 96, passed away on May 26, 2021 in Lakewood, CO. He was born June 23, 1924 in Greeley, CO, the youngest of 8 children born to Eva Katharina (nee Frank) and Henrich Willmann. His parents were Germans who immigrated from the Volga River region of Russia and settled in Loveland, CO. The family values of hard-work, innovation, persistence, and faith were taught to Carl and these ideals directed him throughout his life.

Carl’s passion was aviation. He served as a Sergeant with the 1252nd Army Air Corp North African Ferrying Division in WWII, stationed in Casablanca, Morocco. He worked on C-46 and C-54 aircraft as a mechanic and flight engineer, flying personnel and supplies around the Mediterranean and across the South Atlantic.  He received his Fixed-Wing Commercial Pilot’s license in 1948.  After the war he worked for the original Frontier Airlines for 41 years as an A&P mechanic, lead foreman, engineer and Manager of Engineering. He then started his own business specializing in aircraft leasing for airlines across the world.

He married Elnora Helen (nee Dietz) of Eaton, CO on October 12, 1947; they lived near Stapleton Airport and had two daughters (Sherry and Lynne). The family moved to Westminster, CO in 1960. Carl was active in his church (Valley Lutheran), the VFW, the Silver Wings Fraternity and the Frontier Airline retirement club. He was always intrigued by his heritage, researched his genealogy and attended American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) conventions.

If Carl didn’t know how to do something, he figured it out (where there’s a Willmann, there’s a way!).  He was interested in all things mechanical, home construction/maintenance, woodworking, welding, plumbing, electronics—a true Jack-of-all-trades. Early in his career, he and a buddy would buy crashed single-engine airplanes and rebuild them in the backyard. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, ice skating, bowling, swimming and going on adventures. He loved to travel and his many trips (Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Barbados-to name a few) took him to 6 continents (he never made it to Antarctica!).

Carl was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Minnie Ragsdale, Hilda Ostermiller, Clara Rutz, Rose Erbes, his brothers Henry, Arnold and Albert and his wife of 54 years, Elnora. He is survived by his daughters Sherry (Eric) Olin and Lynne, his granddaughters Jessica (Adam) Riggs and Laura (Jim) Topper, two great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 16th from 5-8:00 PM; Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 17th at 10:00 AM at Horan & McConaty, 7577 W. 80th Ave., (80th & Wadsworth) Arvada, CO. Military honors and interment will be held at noon June 17th at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. All are welcome to a reception/lunch at the Olin residence in Golden from 1:30-4:00 PM.

Donations in Carl’s memory may be made to Wings Over the Rockies https://56000.blackbaudhosting.com/56000/Annual-Fund-Campaign . Carl was one of the “good guys” and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Leave your favorite memory of Carl or condolences with his family in the Tribute Wall.