Jim Halsey

James "Jim" A. Halsey, age 88, of Willmar, died Friday evening, July 31, at the Rice Therapy Suites in Willmar.

A memorial mass will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, at the Church Of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar and the Minnesota Patriot Guard. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to the Rice Cancer Center at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar (www.petersonbrothers.com).

James Albert Halsey was born on November 1, 1926, in Willmar, the son of Albert Luther and Mary Ann (Norton) Halsey. He grew up in the Willmar area and received his education in the Willmar Public Schools. Jim enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1943 and served in the Pacific Area as a mortar crewman in Guam and Iwo Jima. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to the Willmar area. On August 12, 1949 he was married to Shirley Mae Nelson and they made their home in Willmar for a short time before moving to California. In California, Jim worked for North American Aircraft Company for 3 years before moving back to Willmar in 1957. He went to work for Great Northern Railroad as a switchman and worked there until his retirement in 1987. Jim enjoyed his time with family and friends, he would build bonfires 2 to 3 times a week knowing people would come just to enjoy the fire and conversation. He had a profound respect for the US flag and was a member of the Willmar VFW and American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Halsey of Willmar; one son, Patrick (and Terri) Halsey of Rochester; two grandchildren, Brooke Halsey (and Chad Sikkink) of Milwaukee, WI and Chase Halsey of Cave Creek, AZ; one sister, Violet Scovill of Willmar; special friends, Rod and Sue Hughes of New London, Dave and Rhonda Sampson and Kasi of Willmar and Lee Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; and other relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, George, Oscar, Everett, Emery and Vern Halsey; and five sisters, Mayme Hutchins, Rose Johnson, Vernie Fredrickson, Sylvia Sletten and Esther Elling.

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