Wilfred "Willie" H. Fortier's Obituary
Wilfred “Willie” H. Fortier 84 passed away on January 2, 2020 in Longview TX after a brief fight with complications from surgery. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilfred “Bill” Fortier and Margaret Luttgen Fortier and stepdaughter Jalynn Cook. Memorial services will be at 2 P.M. on January 18 at the Rader Funeral Home. He will be interred at the Texas Veterans Cemetery in Kileen TX.
He was born July 20, 1935 in Danbury CT. He moved with his parents back to Wichita to be near grandparents. He was his grandpa’s shadow who taught him many valuable life lessons.
He was most interested in earning enough money to support a motorcycle and a car. Jobs included paper routes, setting pins in bowling alleys and driving trucks. In spite of this he was able to graduate from East High in Wichita KS.
His initial career started as a storekeeper in the U.S. Navy where he did active duty for 12 years. He was part of the Pacific Minepac and when he was on the USS Fletcher he received 2 outstanding evaluations for his storerooms which was a 1st for the ship. He spent about 5 years in Japan and almost stayed. Viet Nam took its toll on him in many ways (agent orange) and he didn’t re-enlist despite many enticements. After returning to the states he spent another 8 years serving in the active reserve and retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1977.
In Wichita he worked with motorcycles both selling and as a parts manager until he was able to go to the Postal Service. He was a states expeditor when he retired in 1992. He worked part time with the Richey Corp (a large construction company) where he implemented a streamlined mail handling system used between several offices in multiple states.
Willie had a lifelong love for anything with gears and a motor. Hence his great interest in racing whether NHRA, Nascar or Motocross. He was a life member of the Jeeps Motorcycle club in Wichita. While in the Navy he was a co-owner of a drag race car that was a National Champion in 1967 at the Bristol Motor Speedway.
He was extremely well read and had a photographic memory. Enabling him to identify most details of American cars for the last 100 years. He was a huge supporter of the 2nd amendment and NRA. He loved bowling and was in a semi-pro league in Wichita. Another love was his 3 wheeled Can-Am Spyder since he could no longer ride a 2 wheeler.
Willie was an ardent supporter of the Viet Nam Veterans Association here in Longview as well as Wichita. He and Tom Call outfitted a merchandise trailer for the VVA which was seen at many events including the Boo Benefit in Jefferson. He was a true patriot who had deep emotions when it came to veterans and animals.
He is survived by his wife Bea Gusner, brother Paul Fortier of Georgetown TX; sons Tim Rozell, Will (Kara) Fortier of Wichita; stepson Bud (Janet) Cook of Kansas City; 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 2 nephews as well as a host of friends.
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