James Francis Willant, "Jim", 80, of Concord, NH passed away at his home on July 21, 2024.

The son of the late Sigmund and Dorothy (Jansen) Willant, Jim was born in Rockville Centre, NY on December 21, 1943. He grew up in Hicksville on Long Island with family and extended family close by.

Jim attended the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Brooklyn, NY for high school. He obtained a degree in Instrumentation from Nassau Community College and later a degree in Business from Nazarene College in MA. After moving to NH, Jim completed a 3 year Call to Servant Leadership Program at St Anselm College.

Over the course of a 47 year career, Jim worked for Honeywell and Siemens and eventually retired from Johnson Controls. As a control instrument engineer, Jim had the opportunity to work on commercial buildings in NYC and New England, including the Twin Towers, Catholic Medical Center and Dartmouth College. He especially enjoyed the challenge of making a design work and meeting the needs of his customers.

Jim was deeply devoted to his Catholic faith and his family. Throughout his life, he often attended daily Mass and was grateful to be able to serve Mass when the opportunity arose. His mantra was the "Prayer of St. Francis."

Jim had a servant's heart and volunteered in a variety of ways throughout his life. He was a "Big Brother" to "Little Brother" Scott, a volunteer firefighter in Rhode Island, a facilitator for a Divorced and Separated Group, a teacher for Junior High Religious Education, and a nursing home visitor at Havenwoods, a ministry which held a special place in his heart.

Jim married his love, Sue, in October of 2011 and received what he called his "Big Miracle"- stepchildren and grandchildren. His stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces and nephews were truly his joy and they always put a smile on his face. He loved time at the lake, whether it was his cabin in ME or in more recent years in NH. He enjoyed family time there and never ceased to appreciate the loons and eagles, kayaking, or just reading by the water's edge. At home, he loved "his projects", a daily walk, crossword puzzles and lots of reading.

Jim is survived by his wife Suzanne Willant; his siblings Veronica Willant, Joanne Buccellato and husband James, George Willant and wife Diane, and Christine Willant; close family friend Linda Paul; step-children Michael McKenna and wife Leah, Matthew McKenna and wife Jill, and Christine Mechachonis and husband Adam; grandchildren Hailey, Alyssa and William McKenna, Rosalyn, Kaylin and Marilynn Caza, and Sofia and Chloe Mechachonis; nieces, nephews and cousins. Over the years, Jim had many special times with his nieces and nephew Carola, Krista, Mary Helen and Christian.  Jim is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Calling hours will be Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4 to 6 PM at Waters Funeral Home, 50 S Main St, Concord, NH.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 180 Loudon Rd Concord, NH.

Burial will follow in Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord, NH.

Donations may be made to the NH Food Bank, 700 E Industrial Park Dr, Manchester, NH 03109.