Willie Mizner was born on May 14, 1918 in Harvard, Nebraska. He was the fourth of six children born to Roy and Ethel Jacobs Mizner. The family moved to Perkins County in 1921 and settled on a farm on the edge of Brandon. He attended elementary school in Brandon and during high school he boarded in Grant. He graduated from Perkins County High School in 1935. On weekends he returned to help his dad and neighboring farmers. After graduating, he worked in Scottsbluff picking potatoes and eventually for Grant Keller at the Grant Conoco Oil Station.

Willie was married to Maxine Kurkowski in Grant on January 3, 1941. Willie painted with his father-in-law, Max Kurkowski, and later with his own crew. He also became involved in farming south of Grant. Maxine died in 1990 and Willie continued to maintain his home in Grant until 2002 when he moved to the Life Care Center in Greeley, Colorado to be closer to family. Willie had begun to fail in health and was moved to the Northern Colorado Medical Center Hospice Unit in Greeley the last week of July where he died Wednesday night, August 3, 2011. He had reached the age of 93.

Willie had been an active member of the Grant Congregational Church. He was also very civic minded and had been a past member of the Grant Lions Club, the Grant Volunteer Fire Department, served on the Grant City Council, was active with scouting and Perkins County 4-H. He always enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in their activities.

In addition to his parents and wife, Willie was preceded in death by two brothers - Albert and Lawrence and his sister - Ardis. He is survived by his daughter Dixie and her husband Gayle McDonald of Hastings; his son - Mickey and his wife Connie Mizner of Gill, Colorado; 3 grandsons - Damon (Debra) McDonald of Aurora, Nebraska, Dade (Hilary) McDonald of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and C.J. (Kari) Mizner of Kersey, Colorado; 2 granddaughters - Darcie (Ben) Brink of Lincoln and Nikki (Chad) McCutchen of Jenks, Oklahoma; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers - Harold and Arnie Mizner; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 8, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Grant First Congregational Church with Pastor Larry Booth officiating. Burial in the Grant Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the GVFD, the Lions Club, or the Congregational Church.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.