Joy M. Willing, 80, of Lompoc, California passed away on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. She died peacefully and comfortably at home with loving family members and friends present. Joy was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1930. Two involved and lively individuals raised her; Joy's formative years impressed upon her the importance of good citizenship, humor and a love of reading. Her early passion for politics, history and literature stayed with her, making her a lively conversationalist; friends and family sought her counsel because of her intelligence and compassion. After marrying Wilford Willing in 1951 and becoming a mother of four, Joy traveled across the country with her family, first to Des Moines, Iowa and then to Palos Verdes, California. A devout Christian, Joy was a member of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church in both Palos Verdes and Lompoc, Board member of the Lompoc Christians Women Group, and had particularly fond memories of St. John's in Des Moines. As her children grew, Joy took great pleasure in her career. She worked as an executive secretary at both Westinghouse and Analysts, Inc., a company on whose board she later served. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, David, and will be deeply missed by many, including her son Steve, her daughters Wendy and Jill, her grandchildren Jake, Brendan, Jesse, Courtney, Dallas, Joshua, David, Garrett, and Jensen, her cousin Doreen, her daughter-in-law Val, her sons-in-law Bob and Brad, and her close friends Pam, Leslie, Bernice and Brenda who cared for her with great kindness.

Graveside services will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 4, 2011 at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park, 2260 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Channel Island Chapter, 14 West Valerio St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 682-8783