Willard Michael Edmunds
August 29, 1943 — December 21, 2024
Willard “Mike” Edmunds, a beacon of love, warmth, and generosity, graced this world with his presence for 81 remarkable years. On December 21st, 2024 he passed away peacefully sleeping in his home in Norwalk surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of strong daughters and grand children he will continue to inspire for generations to come. Born on August 29th, 1943, in the beautiful city of Long Beach, Ca, Mike's life journey was a testament to bravery, dedication, and an unwavering love to his friends and family.
In his early years, he lived in Lynwood, Ca. Later moving to Downey, Ca with his mother Mary Ann Edmunds and his father Willard Gerald Edmunds as well as with his brothers John Patrick Edmunds, Thomas Daniel Edmunds, and James Joseph Edmunds. He studied at Rio Hondo Elementary and went on to Warren High School where he graduated in 1961. Mike began to find work at All American and go to college as well at Cerritos College. There was then a turn of events in 1965 when he was drafted for the Vietnam war and bravely fought for our country for the following years till 1967. Although there were darkness in those years, he brought back with him colorful stories of his voyage and a new found way to cherish the world and the people around him.
Mike worked many jobs and was a jack of all trades. From driving trucks, to managing hotels and tire shops, he did it all and with a work ethic that would not quit. He was also an exceptional car mechanic and handy man. His big, sturdy hands could fix anything with a wrench and a screw driver. His hard work ethic and lovable traits would go on to gain the attention of a one of a kind woman in his life.
After being home for some years, he would go on to find the love of his life in 1968, Glenna Edmunds. He walked into Winchell's Coffee Shop in Downey and saw her there cutting doughnuts. He asked her on a date and they began dating for the next couple of years. They married April 24th, 1971, and the rest is history. They enjoyed 53 years of a happy and commited marriage and they enjoyed doughnuts together till the end.
He also helped to give life and raise three beautiful, independent daughters. Melissa Ann Grover, Leann Michele Edmunds, and Victoria Charlene Ragan. But his nurturing heart did not stop there. Mike and Glenna also fostered 6 additional children throughout the years. Two of those six pulled on Mike's heart strings. Brittney Rose Evans, who Mike and Glenna brought home when she was only 8 days old in 1991, and Mary Louise Scutchings, who they brought home at 20 months old in 1993, would change their world and become their daughters forever.
Mike was also a very devoted grand father and actively played a role in all of his grand childrens lives. From going to recitals, to going to baseball games, to celebrating them at their ceremonies. He made sure he made it to every event. For many of his grand children, his active role in their lives and big generous heart made him feel more like a father. His legacy lives on through all nine of them. Michael and Kathleen Grover, children of Melissa. Sarah and Jacob Baker, children of Leann. Shawn Ragan and Zachary Edmunds, children of Victoria. Julius Ewing Elijah Evans and Henry Starling, children of Brittney.
Mike was an extraordinary father, grand father, friend, and family man. He had a nurturing soul, the first one to give you a big ol' hug when you came into the room, and he kept good jokes in his back pocket. Mike was a story teller, a great listener, the perfect man to call for a nice chat or for some good advice. His aura beamed warmth and he made you feel safe, like everything would be ok, even in your darkest moments. Mike was a a dream father for a daughter, supportive and warm, firm but kind. He was always there when you needed him most and at any other time too. A loyal friend, a devoted father, a supportive grandfather, a loving brother, a committed husband. Mike played all roles beautifully.
Throughout his life, Mike embraced various passions and pursuits. He loved celebrations and wanted to share them with the people he loved. Every Christmas morning since 1971 to 2024, Mike would host a Christmas breakfast with his family and would invite everyone he knew, the whole neighborhood and all of his friends and family. The joy he felt from hosting Christmas morning stretched for over 50 years. He also loved carving pumpkins for Halloween and found a way to share it with his loved ones. He would show up to all his daughters, neices, and grand kids schools and perform a spooky pumpkin carving performance to each of their classes for decades. He loved to see the wonder it brought to the childrens eyes and it was another way he got to be involved. He was also very involved in the PTA for all of his daughters, and spent over 30 years in the PTA at New River Elementary school.
Although Mike had a beautiful and well loved life, it did not come without struggle. He was faced with a lot of health issues from diabetes to blood pressure, to breaking his neck later in life. In earlier years he had near death experiences like flying out of a semi truck and getting agent orange in Vietnam. Through it all, he showed an incredible amount of resilience. He hardly ever complained about his pain or his health and always showed up with a positive, happy attitude.
Mike's life, in its entirety, was a testament to the power of love, generosity, and resilience. His impact on the lives of his daughters and the love he shared with his family and friends will forever be cherished. His memory will live in all of our hearts and of those who had the privilege of knowing him for as long as we all shall live.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
In his early years, he lived in Lynwood, Ca. Later moving to Downey, Ca with his mother Mary Ann Edmunds and his father Willard Gerald Edmunds as well as with his brothers John Patrick Edmunds, Thomas Daniel Edmunds, and James Joseph Edmunds. He studied at Rio Hondo Elementary and went on to Warren High School where he graduated in 1961. Mike began to find work at All American and go to college as well at Cerritos College. There was then a turn of events in 1965 when he was drafted for the Vietnam war and bravely fought for our country for the following years till 1967. Although there were darkness in those years, he brought back with him colorful stories of his voyage and a new found way to cherish the world and the people around him.
Mike worked many jobs and was a jack of all trades. From driving trucks, to managing hotels and tire shops, he did it all and with a work ethic that would not quit. He was also an exceptional car mechanic and handy man. His big, sturdy hands could fix anything with a wrench and a screw driver. His hard work ethic and lovable traits would go on to gain the attention of a one of a kind woman in his life.
After being home for some years, he would go on to find the love of his life in 1968, Glenna Edmunds. He walked into Winchell's Coffee Shop in Downey and saw her there cutting doughnuts. He asked her on a date and they began dating for the next couple of years. They married April 24th, 1971, and the rest is history. They enjoyed 53 years of a happy and commited marriage and they enjoyed doughnuts together till the end.
He also helped to give life and raise three beautiful, independent daughters. Melissa Ann Grover, Leann Michele Edmunds, and Victoria Charlene Ragan. But his nurturing heart did not stop there. Mike and Glenna also fostered 6 additional children throughout the years. Two of those six pulled on Mike's heart strings. Brittney Rose Evans, who Mike and Glenna brought home when she was only 8 days old in 1991, and Mary Louise Scutchings, who they brought home at 20 months old in 1993, would change their world and become their daughters forever.
Mike was also a very devoted grand father and actively played a role in all of his grand childrens lives. From going to recitals, to going to baseball games, to celebrating them at their ceremonies. He made sure he made it to every event. For many of his grand children, his active role in their lives and big generous heart made him feel more like a father. His legacy lives on through all nine of them. Michael and Kathleen Grover, children of Melissa. Sarah and Jacob Baker, children of Leann. Shawn Ragan and Zachary Edmunds, children of Victoria. Julius Ewing Elijah Evans and Henry Starling, children of Brittney.
Mike was an extraordinary father, grand father, friend, and family man. He had a nurturing soul, the first one to give you a big ol' hug when you came into the room, and he kept good jokes in his back pocket. Mike was a story teller, a great listener, the perfect man to call for a nice chat or for some good advice. His aura beamed warmth and he made you feel safe, like everything would be ok, even in your darkest moments. Mike was a a dream father for a daughter, supportive and warm, firm but kind. He was always there when you needed him most and at any other time too. A loyal friend, a devoted father, a supportive grandfather, a loving brother, a committed husband. Mike played all roles beautifully.
Throughout his life, Mike embraced various passions and pursuits. He loved celebrations and wanted to share them with the people he loved. Every Christmas morning since 1971 to 2024, Mike would host a Christmas breakfast with his family and would invite everyone he knew, the whole neighborhood and all of his friends and family. The joy he felt from hosting Christmas morning stretched for over 50 years. He also loved carving pumpkins for Halloween and found a way to share it with his loved ones. He would show up to all his daughters, neices, and grand kids schools and perform a spooky pumpkin carving performance to each of their classes for decades. He loved to see the wonder it brought to the childrens eyes and it was another way he got to be involved. He was also very involved in the PTA for all of his daughters, and spent over 30 years in the PTA at New River Elementary school.
Although Mike had a beautiful and well loved life, it did not come without struggle. He was faced with a lot of health issues from diabetes to blood pressure, to breaking his neck later in life. In earlier years he had near death experiences like flying out of a semi truck and getting agent orange in Vietnam. Through it all, he showed an incredible amount of resilience. He hardly ever complained about his pain or his health and always showed up with a positive, happy attitude.
Mike's life, in its entirety, was a testament to the power of love, generosity, and resilience. His impact on the lives of his daughters and the love he shared with his family and friends will forever be cherished. His memory will live in all of our hearts and of those who had the privilege of knowing him for as long as we all shall live.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard Michael Edmunds, please visit our flower store.