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KENNEDY, N.Y. - Clarence ''Jay'' Willsie Jr. , 79, of Dailey Hill Road in Kennedy, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in WCA Hospital in Jamestown.

He was born Sept.16, 1929, in the town of Coldspring, the son of the late Clarence Jay and Edna Oldro Willsie Sr.

He attended rural schools in the Steamburg area. He retired from the Town of Poland Highway Department, where he was a heavy-equipment operator. After his retirement, he had worked for Conrad Mighells & Sons in Randolph and Leroy Carlson & Sons in Kennedy. In earlier years, he had done road construction on the development of Route 17 (I-86), and he had also been a self-employed milk hauler, hauling canned milk for area farmers. He enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed helping others anytime they needed assistance.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eloise J. Spencer Willsie, whom he married on Oct. 11, 1956, in Kennedy; three daughters: Cindy (Don) Johnson of East Randolph, Jody (James) Boyer and Nicole (David) Willsie, both of Kennedy; two sons: James (Sue) Willsie of Chambersburg, Pa., and Clayton Willsie of Kennedy; six grandchildren: Peter and Monica Willsie, Carey (Dan) Fritz, Josh Boyer, Angela Willsie and Brittany Meacham; three great-grandchildren: Hannah Fritz and Skylar and Meava Willsie; a sister, Marie (Bill) Seager of Conewango Valley; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter and a granddaughter, Shyanna Newark; four sisters: Ruby Wadkins, Margie Groves, Emiline Helen Willibey and Mary Town.

The family will be present to receive family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (July 24, 2009) in the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church St., Randolph, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. Pastor John Knowles Congdon will officiate. Burial will follow in the Steamburg Cemetery. To send a condolence log on to www.vanrensselaerandson-funeralhome.com.