Willy will be Missed

Grand Terrace will never be the same again after losing a close member of the community. On Friday April 11, Willy the donkey passed away. For almost 30 years, Willy has been living in a 8.75 acre lot in Grand Terrace at the end of Van Buren Avenue. Bob Haber, Willy's original owner, acquired him in China Lake near George Air Force Base through the Adopt a Burrow Program around 1982, for less than $100. Since Willy was brought to Grand Terrace, he has become a stable figure in the city. Families have grown up with him, across generations, and people have traveled to Grand Terrace see the friendly donkey and take a picture with him. After Haber moved to Redlands, Larry Halvin started taking care of Willy, along with Bill Fox and Debbie Clayton who have been friends with Willy for the last 15 years and helped take care of Willy over the years, whether going to get alpha hay on the weekends, giving him medication, or feeding him his favorite treats; carrots and apples. Fox said Willy loved to be groomed and two ladies, Joanne and Shirley, would come and feed Willy every weekend and spend time with him brushing him and enjoying his pleasant company. Fox shared, “if you would whistle, he would come, he was pretty friendly, and quite a character. Willy was basically a landmark in Grand Terrace, people would come by when they were walking their dogs or pushing their strollers, he was pretty tame and never bit anyone.” As Willy got older, he was unable to stand for long periods of time and his legs would go out on him, the vet visited Willy twice and said nothing could be done to help him, and suggested they put him down. There is a memorial on the fence with a picture of Willy, and Fox shared, “it’s just a sad day, he was so friendly, when you drove up in the morning, he would 'he-haw' and ask to be fed, he had a bigger-than-life personality, and he was very much loved.” Although Willy will be missed, he will always be remembered by the community of Grand Terrace and brought smiles to the faces of many people who had the chance to meet him.