Willis Dean Casto, 92, of Peck, passed away from heart failure, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Clearwater Hospital in Orofino.

He was born Sept. 12, 1934, in Jerome, Idaho, to David Alexander Casto and Nina Mae Simerly. He attended school in Jerome where he graduated.

Willis enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. He served his time as a first-class pipe fitter in Norfolk, Va., and also in the Mediterranean aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Forrestal.

He returned home to Idaho in 1958 and attended the University of Idaho for a year and a half, before moving back to Jerome in the spring of 1960 to help his father with their farm. In 1961, Willis moved to Lewiston, and on April 5, 1962, he married Lynn Maureen LaHatt, at her parents’ home in Clarkston.

The couple eventually moved to Pomeroy in 1964, and he started his career with the forest service in 1970. He transferred to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest where he finished his career in 1990. They moved back to Lewiston in 1990 and a year later he started working for the Lewiston School District as a custodian at Orchards Elementary. He became a permanent fixture at the school and a favorite among the students, many of them claiming him as a grandpa.

Wills is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lynn M. Casto; son, Rhenn R. Casto; grandsons, Michael R. Casto (Holli), and David N. Hodgkins; granddaughters, Kassie Wright and Katie Roberts; great-grandsons, Brodee J. Casto, David N. Hodgkins and Danny Hodgkins; and great-granddaughter Isabel Hodgkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter Trena Kay Arthur.

A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston. Carrie Clinton and Jan Demmon will officiate.

Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home of Lewiston is in charge of arrangements.