Willy was born to parents Fred and Alma (Lindahl) Gendron in Republic where he was raised and graduated from high school in 1955.  Shortly thereafter he joined the Navy serving much of the time on the USS Rochester and was honorably discharged in 1959.  He worked in the forest service, in the Colville National Forest and later in the Tonto National Forest until retirement.

Willy is survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Marlene (Brown) Gendron and Stepdaughter Sheryl Ann and her husband Kalani Nu'uanu and their children Tehani and Keanu and several nieces and nephews.

A potluck celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Republic Eagles.  The family asks that memorials be made to the following;  Republic High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, Republic Cemetery Association or the Republic Eagles.