Willard Seth Underwood, 80, of Carlton, Minn., formerly of Bagley and Bemidji, died on Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Sunnyside Health Care Center in Cloquet, Minn.
There will be no services. The Handevidt Funeral & Cremation Service of Cloquet assisted the family with arrangements.
He was born on May 15, 1925, to Charles and Susie (Elm) Underwood, in Rolla, Mo. He was an independent owner/operator from 1945-2002 in all 48 states, a pioneer of truck driving of Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. He was a World War II veteran who served three invasions in the Pacific in which he drove landing craft vehicle personnel, bringing soldiers to shore and the wounded to the USS Comfort Ship. He was a 32nd-degree Mason and avid sportsman who held a private pilot license in which he enjoyed flying his own airplane. His last flight was at age 73 while visiting friends in Oklahoma City.
He also enjoyed hunting, waterskiing, downhill skiing and cruising on his motorcycle. At age 70, he cruised from Duluth to Reno, Nev.
He is survived by his sons, Felix (Fran) Underwood of Millsboro, Del., and Dennis (Julie) Underwood of Hermantown; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia (Bud) Slates of Rolla, Mo., Norma (Clarence) Andrews of Signal Mountain, Tenn., Barbara (Kenny) Tune of Rolla and Rebecca (Richard) Brown of Central City, Alaska; brother; Steven (Norma) Underwood of Gravois Mills, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews and friends and a special nephew.
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He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rhonda; his parents; brother, Gene; sister, Betty; and a grandson.
To leave an online condolence, visit handevidtfh.com.
