About - Willetts Funeral Services

About Us

Our team, are committed to providing the warmest and most personal service. We take care of the initial worries and you can take comfort in the knowledge that our services are provided by the guidance of qualified staff.

We can guide you through the Funeral arrangements and assist you in making a personalised and memorable service to reflect the personality of your loved one.

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We’re on call

Our fully trained funeral directors are available 24 hours 7 days a week to personally answer your call

Location

Our chapel and office is located at 21 King Street, Kopeopeo.

Office hours

are 9am – 5 pm Monday – Friday
or by appointment after these hours.

100% Locally Owned & Operated

Our company has a proud history and is 100% locally owned and operated by Steve and Lisa Butler, who are born and bred in Whakatane and have two children.

Steve is a fully qualified Funeral Director and Embalmer and has been at Willetts Funeral Services for 30 years, while Lisa has worked part time over the years working in the office.

Steve Butler

OWNER & GENERAL MANAGER

Steve is the owner of Willetts Funeral Services and is a fully qualified Funeral Director and Embalmer.

Steve brings a wealth of experience in funeral service with over 25 years in the profession. He gained his National Certificate in Funeral Directing in 1996 and his National Certificate in Embalming in 1994. It is very rewarding to work with bereaved families and to look after their loved one.

We have a totally committed team of professionals to take care of families during their time of grief. Our team are very much a part of the community, and are passionate about providing a professional and caring service. Both our female and male funeral directors and embalmers have extensive experience in the funeral service and are available at any time to discuss your options with you.

Lisa Butler

OWNER & ADMINISTRATOR

Lisa is the owner of Willetts Funeral Services and co-ordinates alot of the day to day running. Lisa was born and raised in Whakatane

and is married to Steve. They have two children. Lisa enjoys spending time with her Husband (when he is not working) their two children, friends and family, Camping, the Lakes and painting and other arts. Prior to Lisa and Steve taking over Willetts Funeral Services in 2013, Lisa was a florist. Lisa’s role in the business is in administration and she supports Steve as much as she can, wherever she is asked to help.

Christine Willetts

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER

Christine has been assisting families in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area since founding

Brent Willetts Funeral services in 1990 with her husband Brent. She helped grow and mould the business to what it is today. She retired with Brent when they sold the business to Steve and Lisa in 2013, but she helps out part time/on call or with support when needed or if they are busy.
Christine was born and raised in Whakatane. In her spare time, she enjoys caravanning, gardening, genealogy, sewing and her grandchildren.

Sacha Rothwell

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Sacha is back after a 20-year hiatus – originally working for Brent Willetts Funeral Services in 1996 till 2001. The best looking of the Butler siblings, she is Steve’s little sister, and enjoys working for her big brother, bringing her administrational and organisational prowess to the team.

Sacha is married to Gavin and together they have 3 children: Bradley, Luke and Keeley. Her spare time is spent as a spectator and taxi driver to her children with all their sporting endeavours, and you will often find her helping out and supporting her kids sports teams with coaching, managing, fundraising and cooking the odd sausage sizzle.

She has a natural, kind affinity and compassion for people which is a huge asset to the team. Sacha is the Office Administrator but has strengths that permeate through into other vital aspects of the funeral services

Kylee Richardson

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER

Kylee joined the team at Willetts Funeral Services Ltd in 2012, she is an experienced Funeral Director and Embalmer.

Kylee is truly passionate about her work and her commitment to client families, Kylee is a natural problem solver and a compassionate organiser who loves the variety of her role. Kylee was born and raised in Whakatane and Enjoys spending time with her son.

Kyle Mercer

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER

Kyle joined the Willetts Funeral Services team after a strong calling to help people in their toughest days. He is committed to serving his community in this role, and being a born and bred Kawerau boy, brings local expertise and passion for his home town, as well as the surrounding districts.

Kyle is married to Sheena, who is a nurse, and together they have a young son, Tobi. Kyle has a Trade in Joinery/cabinet making and came to us from Asaleo Care in Kawerau, where he worked as a Winder operator and Health and Safety Rep.

Kyle is a member of Kawerau Rotary, and continues to serve Kawerau in this role. He feels privileged to be in a position where he is able to support families at a difficult time, and to work with families of many different cultures and beliefs. He has a natural affinity for the role, and a genuine care for people.

Tarryn TeWhata

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER

Tarryn is our newest team member, joining Willetts Funeral Services in March. From Ngati Makino descent with connections to Ngai Awa, Ngati Porou and Nga Puhi, she was born in Whakatane but moved, not too far away to their homestead in Otamarakau as a child.

After a few years away living in Canterbury, she moved back to the homestead with her partner, Derrick, at the beginning of the 2022 to live with her Dad after the passing of her mother in 2021.

Tarryn and Derrick have 3 children Taylia, Waikorapa and Skye and two mokopuna; Maroitiki and Tuakiterangi. In her spare time, Tarryn loves spending time at the beach, conveniently straight across the road from where she lives, and relaxing with a good book.

Tarryn was drawn to the funeral industry because of the ability to genuinely serve people. She is proud that women are now more prevalent in the traditionally male industry, and with amazing examples of trailblazer funeral director women in her family, she is proud to continue the kaupapa.

Ashley Drayton

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER

Ashley has been with Willetts Funeral Services for just under a year – joining the team after a being drawn to the industry for a number of years. She was born and raised in Waimana so has a strong connection to the people of the close-knit community.

Along with being a single parent raising her 3 boys, Syrus, Luxton and Kayden, she also manages the demanding, unpredictable schedule of the job, and so she certainly has her hands full. With a background in beauty therapy, Ashley has brought those skills and expanded on them with her care of the deceased. She has shown herself to be an exceptional embalmer with a natural flair in the finer details of restoring people in her care to their natural appearance.

Puti Stedman

FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER

Puti is our newest member at Willetts Funeral Services. Born in Tauranga, raised all over the Bay of Plenty but settled in Whakatane to be closer to Dad’s home Waiōrore East Coast, Te Whanau a Apanui.

Finishing high school at Opotiki College where she met her husband, Brent. They are parents to Mereaira, Rawinia, Kataraina, Tangiwai-Shannon and JosèEmmanuèl.

After living in Auckland and Ruakākā with her husband and children the family moved back to Whakatane in 2013.

When her mum passed away, it was the experience she had with the Funeral Director at Willetts that pulled at her heart and wanting to be that person for others. She feels ever so proud and privileged to have the opportunity to give back to families in our community.

Our History

Willetts Funeral Services has been in business since 1990 covering the Eastern Bay of Plenty and New Zealand.

In 1990 Brent and Christine Willetts founded the company Brent Willetts Funeral Services on the corner of Clifton Road and George Street in Whakatane.

In 1993 the business expanded and larger premises were required, Brent and Christine moved the company into what used to be the Whakatane Christian Fellowship church in King Street, Kopeopeo, Converting it into a Funeral Home where it still remains today.

In October 1993 their son-in-law Steven Butler was employed as a manager. Steve completed his National Certificate in Funeral Directing and Embalming at the Institute of technology in Upper Hutt, Wellington.

Steve was awarded his diploma in Funeral Services, which is the highest qualification available in the New Zealand Funeral industry.

In April 2013 Steve and his wife Lisa purchased the business from Brent and Christine.

1917

First Beginnings
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The Methodist Church was built circa 1917, Commerce Street, Whakatane. The Architect was Mr Reid and the contractors were Messrs Boon and Sullivan.
1925
The Methodist Church
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In 1925-26 the Methodist Church discovered their church was badly situated and it was already time to move. The journey took 2 days and involved council hands, volunteers, telephone polls and a steam roller. Photo Source “Whakatane District Museum & Gallery Collection – E66-1”

1925
1925-26

The Church’s new home King Street, Whakatane
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As a result of a major windfall with the purchase of 2 adjoining sections in King Street for a few pounds and the subsequent sale within two years to the Government for £350 the Methodist Church was able to begin alteration to build a hall. Photo Source – WHAKATANE DISTRICT MUSEUM & GALLERY COLLECTION – F648
1925-26
Tools
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Master Builder Jack Helyar obtained at discount all the materials required.

1925-26
1925-26

Hall Additions
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The move to King Street speedily brought results. The building was used for social activities as well as services of worship.
1930
Hall Additions
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Two years later circa 1930, classrooms, kitchen and toilet were added.

1930
1930-1980

Run by the Methodist Church
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Approximately 50 years goes by and through highs and lows the building
is maintained and run by the Methodist Church.
1980
Sold to the Whakatane Christian Fellowship
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Tough times fall on the Methodist Church and in 1980 they amalgamate with the Anglican Church and the building is sold to the Whakatane Christian Fellowship.

1980
1980

Renovated and new life as a Funeral Home
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In 1993 Brent and Christine Willetts purchase the Church from the Whakatane Christian Fellowship. Converting it into a Funeral Home where it still remains today.