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BORN
1926
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Leo Willard Obituary
Leo was born Feb. 23, 1926, in Comstock, Nebraska, the son of Floyd S. Willard and wife Nellie Grace, nee Squier. On Oct. 10, 1947, he was united in marriage to Dorothy LaVonne Graham, and 10 children came to bless this union.
He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean War, entering June 7, 1944, and receiving his honorable discharge June 6, 1954. During his working career, he was employed by DaimlerChrysler Corporation in Fenton, retiring after over 20 years of service to the company.
Leo was a member of American Legion Post 347 and VFW Post 2482, both in St. Clair. He was a mechanic his whole life and even volunteered to work on family and friends' vehicles. In his younger years, he loved racing stock cars. Leo also enjoyed watching car races and boxing on television. Going fishing was another of his pastimes. He especially loved watching his grandsons play football, watching football on the television, and he thought the world of his pet cats and dogs. What meant most to him was time spent with family. The love they shared and many precious memories they created together will be forever cherished by all of them.
Leo is survived by his wife, Dorothy Willard, St. Clair; nine children, Janell Anthony, Debbie Goade, Robert Willard and wife Robin, all of Union, Eugene Willard, LaVonne Willard, both of St. Clair, Christine Birkmann and husband Bill, Union, Cindy Stortz, Imperial, Shirley Messex and significant other Craig Wingbermuehle, Union, and Kenneth Willard, St. Clair; brothers-in-law, Larry Graham, Texas, and Lester Graham, California; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; nieces; nephews; great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews; cousins; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Nellie Willard; his son, Larry Willard; brothers, Floyd E. Willard and Harold Willard; sisters, Juanita Kenyon, Marion Baker, Lottie Moldvan, Fern Willard, Iona Rittenhouse and Geneva Willard; and one grandson, Joshua Camden.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at Russell Colonial Funeral Home, St. Clair, with the Rev. Ben Kingston officiating.
Interment, with full military honors, was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
The Willard family was served by Russell Colonial Funeral Home, St. Clair.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Russell Colonial Funeral Home530 E Springfield Rd, Saint Clair, MO 63077
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