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Born April 2, 1946, Waco; died Feb. 15, 1997, Baton Rouge, age 50
JTHS activities: National Honor Society, Rotary Boy of the Month
Education: Stephen F. Austin State University, School of Forestry, Nacogdoches, TX; doctoral dissertation "Soil Properties Relating to Height Growth of Loblolly Pine on Soils of the Bowie, Fuquay, Sacul, and Troup Series"
Married: Martha Lawson, 1973, Nacogdoches
Cause of death: pancreatic cancer
Larry Willett Memorial Forestry Award – established in 1997 by funds raised from the Louisiana forestry industry and gifts given in memory of the Extension forester. The fund was named for Dr. Willett upon his death in February 1997. Proceeds help send 4-H University forestry winners to the regional forestry contest.
A Larry Willett Memorial Scholarship was established at the University of Arkansas at Monticello's School of Forest Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center.
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Donnie Ray Balusek
Larry and I worked together, during our Senior year, at Brookshires Food Store on E.Erwin. Every Saturday, (a long and back then a busy grocery day) Larry and I could be found unloading the grocery truck, stocking shelves, bagging groceries, and finally, moping the floors. The time we always looked forward to was lunch. I would usually drive to the King B on Beckham where we would refuel on a Steak Finger Basket or Burger n Fries. Larry was a quiet guy with a gentle smile. He would smile when I would act like a smart ass for he was too polite to just walk away. He loved the outdoors and we would talk about the beauty of Mother Nature quite often especially during the changes of season. Larry earning a PhD in Forestry was the logical next step for he was so smart and dedicated. I am sad to say I never saw Larry after graduation but even though his life ended too early, his legacy lives on just as does my fond memories of my work buddy.