William 'Willy' Cannon, carpentry specialist
William “Willy” C. Cannon, 57 of Ocean View, formerly of New Castle, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, after a five-year battle with ALS.
Willy was born in Wilmington, and was a 1975 graduate of William Penn High School. He moved to the Bethany Beach area where he met Mary, the love of his life of 32 years. Willy owned and operated William Cannon Construction and specialized in finish carpentry.
Willy loved fishing, surfing, cooking and was an amazing storyteller. As Willy’s wife Mary would say, “He was a great wife!” Willy’s family and community always came first. He volunteered as a coach for numerous local youth sports teams, and his generosity continues as he has donated his vital organs and tissues to Columbia University for ALS and Lyme disease research.
Willy is survived by his loving wife Mary J. (Foster) Cannon; a daughter, Emma J. Cannon; a son, Sam J. Cannon; his father, Wallace L. Cannon and his wife Susan; his mother, Jane M. West; two sisters, Susanne L. Anderson and her husband David, and Anna E. west; two brothers, Patrick B. Cannon and Michael B. Cannon and his wife Suzanne; eight nieces and nine nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, where friends and family may gather at the church beginning at 11 a.m. For those attending the visitation or funeral Mass, please enter the front doors facing Garfield Parkway. Willy’s wishes are to have his cremains spread at Northside in late spring. The date and time will be posted on Willy’s neighborhood at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Willy’s name to one of the following organizations: The ALS Association www.alsa.org, the Lyme Disease Association www.lymediseaseassociation.org or Contractors for a Cause www.contractorsforacause.org.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
