Aaron Mark Willea

One of Aaron Willea's favorite phrases was "Picture Me Rolling," which means just think of me rolling along and having a good time. For Aaron this phrase wasn't just lip service, he sincerely meant what he said. He took on life with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, which made everything he did rewarding. He was loyal and devoted to his family and even as it grew to include a half-brother, two step-parents, and two step-sisters, he loved and embraced each new member. Aaron was an extraordinary young man who never shied away from responsibility or duty, but at the same time didn't pass up the chance to experience the excitement in living life to its fullest. As summer inched closer and closer in Muskegon, the weather outside remained unseasonably cool even for Michigan, making it seem more like March than May. Pamela (Flanegan) Willea was nine months pregnant and anxiously awaiting the arrival of her second child. She and husband Mark, a plant manager at Mill's Manufacturing, had decided months earlier that their three year old son Craig needed a brother to grow up with and adding one more child to the family seemed ideal. Finally, on May 9, 1983, their dreams were realized when the welcomed Aaron Mark Willea into the world. Aaron was a happy baby and as cute as they come. From the top of his precious head to the bottom of his adorable toes, he was an absolute joy to be around. From playing video games and G.I. Joe action figures to riding bikes through the neighborhood and in the church parking lot, Aaron's childhood was typical. Mom and dad's plan had also been a success; Craig had a little brother and the bond that he had with Aaron was immediate. As little boys running around together they liked to play a game with their dad called Mad Ball. Aaron and Craig would dart back and forth while dad would try to hit them with a foam ball. Another one of their favorites games was hide and seek, but with a twist. With the lights off and armed with flashlights the boys would try to sneak up and scare one another. They also liked hiding behind the door when their dad was coming in from work, jumping out at the last minute to catch him off guard. For the young boys, the element of surprise was almost too much to take. When it came time for Aaron to go to school, he attended St. Michael's Elementary where, unlike when he was at home playing with his brother, he was quite shy. Somehow though, Aaron always managed to have fun there. In 1990, Aaron's parents decided to divorce and go their separate ways. Seven year old Aaron and ten year old Craig went to live with their mom in North Muskegon, while their dad moved into an A-frame cottage he purchased at Stony Lake. On Wednesdays and every other weekend, Aaron and his brother would go out to stay with their dad, which over time became very special for them. A few years down the road, Aaron's mom remarried a man named Jim Krannitz, and this time it was his turn to become an older brother. Much to Aaron's delight, his baby brother Spencer was born in 1993. He loved spending time with Spencer, and never minded when he was asked to baby-sit for him. When Spencer got a little older, Aaron would take him out for dinner and to the movies, and even bought him the outfits that were identical to the ones that he wore. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Craig, Aaron taught Spencer the game of basketball just as his older brother Craig had taught him. In his early teen years, Aaron enjoyed playing both basketball and soccer around the neighborhood and at his friend's houses. One memory from this time that Aaron would never let his mom forget was the summer that she made him attend Summer Fun Club at the local "Y" with his friend Dan. Somehow all of the fun at fun camp was lost on Aaron, and he didn't have a very good time at all. With his 6th grade class he got to attend camp Pendalouan, where they canoed and did the ropes course. Aaron enjoyed his time there so much and was such a good camper that several years down the road, when he was a senior in high school, he was invited back to be a counselor. Aaron attended high school at Muskegon Catholic Central, where he was quite popular and well liked by everyone. Although school work may not have been Aaron's thing, he definitely had fun going to school and made the most of his time there. Outside of school Aaron was a hard worker, holding various part-time and summer jobs at places like Cherokee Restaurant and Barry's Greenhouse for some extra money. At school, however, it sometimes seemed as though he did everything but what he was supposed to be doing. When he was supposed to be in class he was in study hall, when he was supposed to be on campus for lunch he was off campus eating at McDonald's, and when he was supposed to be giving a speech that took him days of preparation and practice he was making up a great story that, although it might not have been true, earned him an A anyway. Aaron had such a great personality and put a smile on so many faces that his teachers rarely got mad at him. As young men, both Aaron and Craig developed a very special bond with their father. Spending time out in the woods at his cottage shooting the BB gun, going cruising, or just watching a movie together they never failed to laugh and have a good time. It was their dad who took them to watch the Jeeps and dune buggies at Silver Lake and then taught them how to drive one. Perhaps most importantly, it was Aaron's dad who imparted a sense of patriotism and honor in him, even taking both him and Craig to Gettysburg more than once to watch Civil War reenactments. Aaron may have had the greatest respect for both his dad and his brother, but when all three of them were out on the paintball field together he was a tough competitor and took no prisoners. In 2001 Aaron finished his senior year at Catholic Central and earned his diploma. Following graduation he wasn't sure in what direction his life would take him so he decided to stay close to home and enroll in Muskegon Community College. Taking classes at MCC didn't really interest Aaron and he spent most weekends at Michigan State University hanging out with his friend Andy. His best friend and older brother Craig had joined the armed services, first the navy and later the army. Aaron had visited his brother several times once where he had been stationed and another time on his actual ship, taking a Tiger Cruise for friends and family of sailors from Hawaii to San Diego on the last leg of their deployment. Although it worried his mother, Aaron was beginning to seriously consider following in his brother's footsteps and joining the United States Navy At the age of 20, Aaron went to Great Lakes Naval Base to begin his basic training and then on to Pensacola, Florida for "A" school, where he learned to be a Parachute Rigger. His final destination was at a naval base in Point Magu, California, where he was assigned to the E2 Hawkeye Squadron VAW 117. Deployed on the USS Nimitz, his squadron spent seven months at sea, first stopping in Hawaii and then on to Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, and the Persian Gulf, where they were involved in the Iraqi conflict. In his last few years of high school Aaron began lifting weights and became physically fit, which filled out his 6'4 frame very nicely. By the time he had graduated he was much bigger and stronger than his dad and was able to easily lift his mom off the ground and into the air, holding her tight while she laughed. His size and strength when combined with his patriotism and sense of adventure made him the perfect fit for a career in the armed services. While his mom was "petrified" while he was away at sea, Aaron was taking in the experience for all it was worth. Aaron never failed to make friends wherever he went, and California was no different. When one of his navy buddies ended up with custody of his young daughter, Aaron stepped in to help out, even picking her up from daycare when necessary. He was a good friend to have in the best and worst of situations. A few months back Aaron bought a motorcycle and took up riding with some of his friends who also owned bikes. After spending the night out at a local club, the group of riders headed back to the base with Aaron leading the way. As he sped on ahead through a patch of dense fog, the rest of the group lost sight of him and it was only after they reached the base that they realized Aaron wasn't there. When they went back they discovered that he had lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. Aaron lived his life as though he knew that there was not enough time to sit idly by and not have fun, so he never let a moment pass where he wasn't having a good time and making the best of everything. With each and every experience Aaron shared with his family and friends, a countless number of fond memories were made that will never be forgotten in their minds and in their hearts. Aaron Mark Willea died on Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the age of 22. He is survived by his Mother, Pamela (Jim) Krannitz; father, Mark (Jane) Willea of Shelby; grandmother, Mary Willea of Muskegon; brothers, Craig Willea of TX & Spencer Krannitz of North Muskegon; sisters, Andrea Cuthbertson of Muskegon & Kelly Klootwyk of Brazil; several aunts, uncles, nieces & nephews, cousins & many good friends. You can visit with family and friends on Friday, May 5, 2006 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes -Muskegon. A service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006, 10:00 AM at St. Michael's Catholic Church, where Aaron was a member, with Fr. Mark Bauer officiating. Interment is at Mona View Cemetery. Please visit Aaron's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or sign the online guest book.