Lance Corporal Sean Willey’s remains will be escorted to New York
by motorcade
Marine Lance Corporal Sean MacLaughlin Willey
By Becky Long
Publisher
The remains of Marine Sean MacLaughlin Willey will make the long journey home to New York this week amid full military honors thanks to the efforts of local law enforcement and veterans organizations.
Willey, 21, of Ilion, N.Y. was discovered at a campsite here in September 2022 when a resident found his skeletal remains near the Appalachian Trail in the Shooting Creek community.
The campsite was in a remote area, about a mile off the trails and about 2 1/2 miles from the nearest house, according to the report.
No foul play was suspected. Willey is believed to have been missing since April 2022.
DNA samples sent to the state lab confirmed Willey’s identity in February of this year.
“The family has been waiting for him to get home since last year,” said Chief Deputy Todd Wingate.
Willey had been discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps just prior to beginning his hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail, according to Wingate. Willey also had a 3-year old-son that investigators believe he was on his way to see in New York.
Now more than a year later, Willey will receive a proper send-off to his hometown, some 900 miles away from where he was found.
“He served our country and he earned our respect, for that this is the honorable thing to do,” said Wingate. “We want to extend our community’s grace to another community — to take care of him until we get him home.”
Willey’s life will be honored in Clay County with a memorial service at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 27 in front of the sheriff’s office on Courthouse Drive. In case of rain, the service will move to the multi-purpose room of the courthouse.
American Legion Post #532, Marine Corps League Detachment #783 and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating the memorial. A live feed broadcast of the ceremony will be viewable at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069234728940.
Willey’s journey home begins at 9 a.m. Friday, July 28 when a motorcade will depart from the parking area in front of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and escort Willey to his Ilion.
The trip is expected to take two days and will include escorts made up of riders from the American Legion, Marine Corps League, Combat Veterans Association and Patriot Guard riders, according to Wingate.
Planned stops will be made in each state for motorcade participants and veteran organizations to pay their respects.
Law enforcement escorts have been arranged through each jurisdiction from state line to state line.
Willey’s arrival in Ilion is expected on Saturday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m. There he will be received by an official honor guard and funeral detail made up of U.S. Marines. They will receive Willey from the escorted motorcade and render the proper military honors to include the presentation of a folded flag to the family.
“The Marine Corps League Detachment #227 and other veteran organizations in Sean’s hometown have been involved in the planning of this reception and are equally anxious to have him back home,” said Wingate. “Family and friends will be present to finally welcome Sean home for a long-awaited reunion.”
All travel expenses have been paid by Clay County veterans and charitable donations. A custom crematory vault bearing the Marine Corps Seal was crafted and donated by a member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 783 in Blairsville.
“Additionally, a regulation foot locker was crafted for Sean’s personal property to be transported home in and serve as a legacy for Sean’s son one day,” said Wingate. “Contained in the property items is the dog tag worn by Sean which was located by one of the Cadaver K9s. Sean kept it laced in his boot as customary in the military for this very reason: “Semper Fi Teufel Hunden!”
Wingate and investigator Ethan Henderson will be part of the motorcade traveling to New York. Henderson was the initial investigator on Willey’s case.
Wingate said Nine Line Apparel and Fight The War Within Foundation have paired up and pledged their assistance with paying Willey’s funeral expenses. A commemorative T-shirt has been designed in honor of his service and dedication to helping others and supporting his fellow warriors by reminding all veterans that they are not alone. Scan the QR code in this story and type FTWWSean in the search bar for more details and how to contribute to the same cause that Willey was led to support.
“On behalf of everyone at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, we send our deepest condolences to Sean’s family and friends. To the community in The Village of Ilion, New York, from all of us in Hayesville, Clay County, North Carolina, we are humbled and honored that this responsibility has come to us and we will ensure every effort is made to return Sean home to you with dignity, respect and appreciation for his service and sacrifice to a grateful nation,” said Sheriff Mark Buchanan. “May God’s love find you, comfort you and keep you.”