Obituary of Willard Jay Rostock

Willard 'Woo' Rostock passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to German parents, Paul and Elizabeth Rostock, the third son of four, and graduated from Coatesville High School. Willard moved to Idaho, attended Boise Junior College, and served in the U.S. Navy as a yeoman stationed at Pearl Harbor aboard the U.S.S. Keywadin, a rescue-ocean tug. Returning to the U.S., he married Phyllis Bird and raised Kristina (Tina), James (Jim), and Vicki ​​in Nampa, Idaho. Willard managed Fifer's Furniture in Nampa for many years, and in 1967 moved his family to Caldwell, Idaho. He worked for Ralph Fifer's Furniture until Ralph retired and then purchased the business, changing the name to Rostock Furniture and moving into the J. C. Penney store across the street. Rostock Furniture remains an important anchor store in Caldwell today.

Willard was loving, kind, generous, and outgoing. He loved to meet new people and establish lasting friendships, along with telling stories about growing up in the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish country, his Navy experiences, and his three children, whom he affectionately nicknamed 'Wiener, Boomer, and Herman.'  Willard enjoyed his cabin in McCall in the summer and his home in Yuma, Arizona in the winter. He was particular​ly proud of his 1948 Jeep, lovingly restored by his son-in-law, John, and painted an authentic U.​S.​ Navy blue.

Willard is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Billy, Rusty, and Eric), and his wife, Phyllis. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Kristina and Terry Mazurak, Jim and Marta Rostock, and Vicki and John Owen; his grandchildren and spouse, Carrie and Ben Miller, Melissa Owen, and Preston Rostock; and great grandchild, Lily Black. He also leaves behind a very special person in his life, Betty Denson, as well as a universe of extended family, friends, and loyal employees.

Memorial services will take place in the spring, when Willard and Phyllis will be interred together at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, next to his brother, Rusty. Those wishing to honor Willard's life might consider a donation to The Salvation Army, an organization that Willard often mentioned as assisting his family during the depression.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at West Valley Medical Center, St. Alphonsus Elm Family Medicine, and Encompass Home Care for their loving care of our father.