GLENN MICHAEL WILLYARD

Glenn Michael Willyard, 72, of Alpena, passed away suddenly on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Glenn was born in Wyandotte, on March 21, 1952, to the late Lloyd and Rose (Mertens) Willyard and was raised in Dearborn. On April 22, 1995, he married Susan (Greka) Markowski. Glenn worked as a truck driver for many years before retiring from Griffin Beverage. In retirement, he continued driving for Alpena Public Schools (APS) and later Thunder Bay Transportation Authority (TBTA). He was a member of All Saints Parish.

Glenn cared deeply about all people his whole life and did anything he could to help them, especially the most vulnerable in this world. Glenn had a unique love and compassion for people, he could always see their true heart and their worth when others might turn them away.

Of all the special people in Glenn’s life, he cared most deeply for his family. Glenn would “literally drop” whatever he was doing at the chance to play with the grandkids, who affectionately called him Papa Kiki. His love for them drew the cousins together and he would always be in the center of their games. It would be a normal sight to see Papa and Grandma with the kids kayaking, biking, hiking, mini-golfing and so much more. Most notably Papa was known for his prowess at the tag game, “Cops & Robbers,” and would draw kids from all around to play. Papa would take the kids anywhere and everywhere they wanted to go and could even be found jumping off local waterfalls with them.

Glenn loved his grandkids so deeply and had such a love for all kids. After retiring, he began to work as a school bus driver and every child he met became like his own. To keep the kids occupied, he would often lead them in song and in making up silly games. The stories he came home with about all of these beautiful children forever left an imprint on his heart. “Mr. Glenn” loved all his school kids and grew to know many of their families too, as they also became like family to him. Glenn never knew a stranger. After he left APS and went to work for TBTA, he continued to make so many close connections and considered all of his passengers, friends.

In his spare time, Glenn loved mountain biking, a sport brought to him by his stepson Andrew. Once Glenn began to glide through the trails he was hooked. He spent many years racing throughout the state, where he had SO MANY stories to tell of his adventures and where he and Sue discovered so much of what Michigan has to offer. Glenn passed this love on to his son-in-law, Frank, and his grandkids. Last summer his granddaughter, Sarah, joined the Ann Arbor racing team, where Glenn was able to frequently practice ride with the team and coach her with the tips he’d learned throughout the years. Glenn was so proud of all of his grandkids. You could find him and Sue at all the sporting events, concerts and plays cheering on the kids. They saw their unique talents in life and did all they could to showcase each of their individual skills.

Maybe most notable about Glenn was his beautiful voice and his passion for singing and music, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He sang in church choirs, cantored and hosted karaoke. As a young man, his coworkers lovingly referred to him as “Elvis” as he was always singing at work. Glenn met his dear wife Sue through mutual friends back in his karaoke days, and this April they would have celebrated 30 years of marriage.

Glenn had an intense heart for people and always a sense of humor. If you knew Glenn, you’d also know that if he was going to do anything, it would be done to the extreme; there was no halfway. We lovingly referred to him as Mr. Over-doer. This intense passion was also evident in his love of automobiles. Glenn was many things to many people (and pets too) and his presence will be truly missed.

Surviving are his wife, Susan; three children, Jess (Shannon Smith-Robin) Willyard, Carrie (Frank) Jere and stepson Andrew (Anna) Markowski; six grandchildren, Isabel Smith-Robin, Sarah and Tommy Jere, Noah, Nash and Norman Markowski; four brothers, John (Nancy) Willyard, James (Karen) Willyard, Edward Willyard, Dennis (Barbara) Willyard; brother-in-law, Raymond Temple; sister-in-law, Terri Willyard; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three siblings, Robert Willyard, Judy Temple, and David Willyard.

Visitation will take place on Thursday at Bannan Funeral Home from 2 to 8 p.m., with a Parish Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday at St. Anne Church of All Saints Parish from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Fr. Aloysius Okpala officiating.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

Memorials: The Friendship Room