Lifelong Waukesha resident Willard T. Nielsen, died on Monday, May 28, 2012, at Waukesha Springs Health & Rehab Center at the age of 80 years.  He was born June 4, 1931, the son of Antone and Dorothea (nee Owens) Nielsen.

Willard lived on the family farm on Lawnsdale Road helping with the farm work until moving into the City of Waukesha in 1966.  He worked for many years as a mason’s helper for various local mason contractors.  Willard was always very eager to help anyone he could and enjoyed many friendships over the years, especially with his dear friend Sue James. Willard was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.  

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Louise Nielsen of Black River Falls and a brother-in-law William Gregware of Virginia; and further survived by nieces and nephews: Russell (Leslie) Nielsen, Debra Nielsen, Barbara (Gregory) Zoellick, Michael (Barb) Gregware, Tom (Sandra) Gregware, Jim (Betty) Gregware, Vicki (Bill) Gregware, Mary (Jeff) Ewing, Patrick (Johnny) Gregware and several great and great grand nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers: James, Robert “Bobbie” and Richard, his sister Dorothy Gregware and niece Sue Noben.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 1, 2012 from 4 p.m. until the 4:30 p.m. funeral service at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Highland Memorial Park in New Berlin. Please meet at the cemetery entrance. For further information, please call Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.