George Johnston “Wick” Willock III passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023. He was 84.

Born in Pittsburgh on Feb. 22, 1938, Mr. Willock spent most of his life there where he was active in building strong and lasting friendships, sports, academics and then business. He attended The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey and, shortly after graduation, began his professional life in the chemicals business at Neville Chemical Company.

Mr. Willock joined Neville Chemical in the lab in 1958, moving quickly into sales and rising to VP of sales for Neville, and became a leading authority on resins in the industry. In 2002, he received the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) Technical Associate Member (TAM) Service Award, which recognizes an outstanding individual who, as a supplier to the ink industry, has played a major role in the progress of printing ink technology.

“For me, it is very gratifying to receive the TAM award, and to receive the recognition from the industry and from my friends,” Mr. Willock said after receiving the award. “I’m proud to be part of the TAM group.”

“George was a very nice guy and a strong NAPIM supporter, and he was very well liked in the industry,” said George Fuchs, director – regulatory affairs and technology for NAPIM. “He looked at the resin and ink industry as special and unique. He was an old school guy who was a pleasure to work with.”

Mr. Willock was a true believer in the art of listening, which allowed him to excel at salesmanship, relationship building and networking with others in all fields across the US and the world. He saw the potential in everyone around him and tried to encourage them to achieve that potential.

For Mr. Willock, joining Neville Chemical back in 1958 was the result of a fortunate ride, which he recalled after receiving the TAM Award in 2002.

“When I was a youngster going to the University of Pittsburgh, I was a rebellious young kid who was trying to find out what it was all about,” Mr. Willock said. “My father suggested I get a job, and I interviewed with US Steel. I was waiting for a bus on my way to the interview, and Lee Dauler, the president of Neville Chemical, happened to be driving by. He stopped and gave me a ride, and when I didn’t get a job with US Steel, Neville hired me.”

Family was always so important to Mr. Willock. Mr. Willock was the beloved husband of Katharine (Kitsy) Willock; father of Katharine Curry (Grant), Susan Greulich (Thomas), George (Lock) Willock and Kimberly Pardiwala (Cyrus), as well as grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of 6 children. Mr.Willock met the love of his life Kitsy at a debutante party at Rolling Rock when they were just 13 years old. They got married in 1959 at The Chapel of St. John the Divine in Houston, TX and had been happily married ever since. He was a faithful man of God and did not waver.

“I went to our children’s ballgames and recitals when I could, and we did go hunting and fishing,” Mr. Willock said when he received the TAM Award. “Thankfully, Kitsy was running our house while I was on the road so much of the time.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the capital campaign of the Saint Dominic’s Monastery Dominican Nuns in Linden, VA (www.lindenopnuns.org).