
10/07/2025
Actor Willard Conley, who appeared regularly on television since the 1950s, will best be remembered as storekeeper 'Ike Godsey' in The Waltons from 1972 through 1981. He attended Loyola University in Los Angeles, where he studied theater. In 1945, he joined the United States Army, which temporarily paused his education, though he remained active in entertainment by performing in Army shows and at officers’ and NCO clubs. After completing his service, he returned to Loyola and later transferred to Arizona State University, where he was cast as an extra in The Sound of Fury. His performance impressed the director so much that his role was expanded into a featured part.
Following graduation, he resumed his entertainment career in Los Angeles, balancing acting with singing. His first television role came in Big Town in 1955. He went on to appear in numerous popular TV series, including The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Lassie, Casey Jones, Dragnet, M Squad, Gunsmoke, Dennis the Menace, Mister Ed, Felony Squad, The Brady Bunch, and The Beverly Hillbillies.
His film credits include Crime of Passion (1957), Juvenile Jungle (1958), Blueprint for Robbery (1961), 80 Steps to Jonah (1969), Cast Away (2000), and Blind Obsession (2002).
Beyond acting, Conley was also a successful businessman, at one time owning a chain of real estate offices and a restaurant in the San Fernando Valley. He passed away peacefully due to natural causes.