James Calvin Willard Sr., 86, of Meadows of Dan, Va., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He had been a resident of Blue Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Martinsville for several months. He was born in Spray, N.C., on August 24, 1923. Mr. Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Turman Willard; his parents, Charlie Willard and Pearl Alderman Willard Massey Burnette; a brother, Reed Willard; and his beloved pet dog, Boggie. Mr. Willard served in the United States Army during World War II and had been a prisoner of war. He was of the Baptist faith, lived most of his life in Meadows of Dan, and enjoyed the outdoors and gardening. He was employed by the National Park Service for 33 years and retired as caretaker of Smart View Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mr. Willard is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara and Jerry Wilson, of Martinsville, and Shirley Willard, of the home; two sons, J.C. Willard Jr. and wife, Debbie, and Ricky Willard, all of Meadows of Dan; five grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Olene Nester and Iola Hubbard; two brothers, Eugene Massey and David Massey; three sisters-in-law, Mildred Goode, Irene Reed and Ardith Jackson; and one brother-in-law, Clyde Turman. Funeral services for Mr. Willard will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009, at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Pastor J.C. Willard Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Reed Island Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Rites by the Patrick County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Published in the Roanoke Times on 11/12/2009