Esther Willey, 87, of Greer, SC, died April 28, 2022 at home in Greer, SC.
She was born on October 1, 1934, to Johannes and Karoline Stenzel in Halle (Saale),
Germany.
After obtaining her nursing license in Germany, she came to the United States for one year to
see how the American hospitals worked.  While assigned to Orange Memorial Hospital in
Orange, NJ, she met her husband at North Orange Baptist Church.  Esther married Robert
Willey on July 13, 1963.  They had two children, Robert, Jr. of New Jersey and Jeanette
(Willey) Ellenwood of Greer, SC.
She worked as an oncology nurse  for over 25 years and retired from Morristown Memorial
Hospital.
She was an avid knitter and reader.  She would be reading 2-3 books at the same time, in both
English and German.  She had an interest in Early American History and Arts and Crafts.  She
was very involved in her church in New Jersey for over thirty years before moving to South
Carolina.  She worked as a school and camp nurse and led a ladies Bible study.
Esther is survived by her children Robert, Jr. and Jeanette, grandchildren Drew, Joel, Kayla,
Nathan, Danielle, and Robert, III, and sister Hanna in Germany and many nieces and nephews
in Germany and Canada.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Christa Stawski and brother Gottfried
Stenzel.
A graveside service will be held at Graceland Cemetary West in Greenville, SC on Thursday,
May 5, 2022 at 11 AM.
Memorials or donations may be made to Hidden Treasure Christian School, 500 West Lee
Road, Taylors, SC 29687.