Willis L. Palmer, Jr., 86, of King Court, died peacefully on Sunday, July 27, 2008 surrounded by his loving family in Holden Rehab. and Nursing Center, Holden, after a courageous fight with alzheimer's disease.

   He leaves his wife of 64 years, Marguerite H. (Quigley) Palmer; three sons, Thomas A. Palmer and his wife Therese of Holden, Christopher M. Palmer and his wife Kathy of Worcester, and Peter A. Palmer and his wife Susan of Boylston; four daughters, Susan M. Wright of Holden, Anne L. Lyons and her husband James of Worcester, Catherine E. Palmer of San Francisco and her fiancé Tim Lum who is stationed in Afghanistan as a member of the DEA, and Mary E. Antanavica and her husband Kenneth of Leicester; two brothers, Paul and John Palmer of Yarmouth; four sisters, Virginia Thompson of New Hampshire, Claire Barry of Auburn, Jean Provost of Florida and Rosemary Spillane of Worcester; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; many nephews & nieces.

   Mr. Palmer was born in Hartford, CT, son of Willis L. and Catherine (Conlin) Palmer, Sr., and lived in Rutland for 20 years prior to moving back to Leicester recently. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran having served in both World War II and the Korean conflict, and retired as a Captain. He was a 1944 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and was the general manager of Watts Security Systems, Inc. in Worcester, retiring after 20 years of service. For many years, he was an active volunteer at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church and its Society of St. Vincent de Paul; and the American Legion Post 310 in Rutland. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Leicester.

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. The funeral for Mr. Palmer will be held Thursday from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, 290 Main St., Rutland. Burial with military honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.