Linn Arnold Willers

Linn Willers passed away on Monday May 18th, 2026, at the age of 81 in St. Augustine, FL after a brief hospital stay. Linn was born in Lake City, MN in 1944 to Ruben and Bernice Willers. He grew up showing and training horses, playing the saxophone in the school band, trying to gain enough weight to compete on the school wrestling team, and helping his dad with the milk route. Linn liked watching the Howdy Doody TV program once his parents bought their first TV in 1953. After his high school graduation from Lincoln High School, he spent four months learning mechanical drafting before enrolling in Minneapolis Business College. He was hired by the First National Bank in Minneapolis in 1965.

Just months into his employment he was drafted by the US Army before enlisting in the US Navy. Linn spent 4 years in service both stationed in Jacksonville, FL, and aboard the carriers USS Shangri-La and on the USS John F. Kennedy on the flight deck as a deck boss, working shore patrol and playing the saxophone in the Navy band. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to his job in the Probate Department at the First National Bank in Minneapolis. Linn graduated with his B.A. from Metropolitan State University Night School in 1986 before later moving to the Tax Department and eventually into the management of oil, gas and mineral properties. Over the course of his career Linn survived 20+ mergers, found thousand of dollars in unpaid royalties for his customers, and helped catch an employee who embezzled from the company.

Linn and Jane met while working at the bank and later dated for about a year prior to getting married in 1977. Their daughter Carrie followed a year later, and their son Chris was born in 1982. Linn played in the Osseo Jaycees softball league as a pitcher when the children were young before transitioning to one of their biggest supporters, and often coach as they began to play various sports. He came to every game, band concert, and school activity Carrie and Chris were a part of and was very proud of them and their accomplishments.

In 1993 Linn was transferred to Colorado. He, Jane and the children enjoyed exploring many of the beautiful Colorado sights, although Linn was never a fan of viewing them from a ski gondola as he strongly disliked heights. Some of the mountain passes also tested Linn’s comfort levels with their narrow winding roads and limited guardrails but he enjoyed spending time in Vail in the summer or eating a steak at the Trail Dust Steakhouse in Denver.

Linn and Jane moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1998 after Linn took a new job with First Union Bank. He enjoyed eating seafood, taking care of his dogs Cara, and later Rio and Rico, cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars and getting together with friends for dinner. In 2006 Linn was elected president of NARO (National Association of Royalty Owners). He attended multiple conferences and events with them over the years and was a resource for many. Linn had a fantastic memory and could recall details of an account he worked on years prior. After two more mergers with the bank Linn retired as a Vice President and Regional Manager on his 75th birthday.

In retirement, Linn enjoyed spending time with his children and grandson Sully, developed a love of the news and current events, and continued to cheer on his favorite sports teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, University of Kansas Jayhawks and Colorado State University Rams). Linn was a fan of westerns and war movies. He had a love of horses his entire life, especially American Quarter Horses and Appaloosas. His favorite pie was banana cream from Lincoln Del in Minnesota. He was one of the nicest people you could ever hope to know and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Linn is survived by his wife Jane, daughter Carrie Willers Howard (Matt) of Aurora, CO, son Chris Willers (Kate) and grandson Sully of Aurora, CO. He is also survived by his sister Barb Buck (Russ) of Lake George, MN, his brother-in-law Ron Erickson (Denice) of St. Michael, MN, as well as nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled. Please contact the family for more information. If you are able to attend and feel moved to speak, we welcome you to share a story, a laugh, or a heartfelt moment you shared with Linn as we honor his life.