James Aubrey Willard

James Aubrey "Jimmy" Willard, 79, of Jamestown, NC passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, at Beacon Place hospice home in Greensboro, NC.

Born June 10th, 1943, in Asheboro, NC, Jimmy was a son of the late Aubrey Columbus Willard and the late Irene Brown Willard. He graduated from Ragsdale High School in 1961. After learning to play a guitar gifted to him by a friend, Jimmy went on to play in and manager the regional band Calvin Lindsay and the Hysterics who frequently played at popular clubs like Greensboro's Castaways. At the request of his soon-to-be father-in-law, Jimmy set aside his full time music career and got a "real" job. Following many successful years of sales for first beverage and then archery manufacturers, Jimmy started his own business, Custom Reglazing.

Jimmy loved the outdoors and spent decades traveling the country to various professional archery tournaments with numerous championships won over his career. Along these different journeys through life, Jimmy amassed a genuine, eclectic, and amazing collection of friendships that he cherished to his very last day.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Phyllis Willard, his son, Brian Willard and wife Jennifer, his brother, Jerry Willard and wife Linda, granddaughter, Avery Willard, grandson, Davis Willard, and his beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. Per Jimmy's request, camouflage attire is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to either..

The Journey Church, www.thejourneychurch.org

or Sportsman's Heart, www.sportsmansheart.org