Billy Willard

On Friday, October 11, 2024, Bill peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior.
Bill was born in Kennett, Missouri, as the 8th of 9 children to John "Ott" and Alice Willard. In the 1940s, Bill's family moved from Missouri to California, first settling in Armona, and later in Hanford. Bill attended local elementary and middle schools, graduating from Hanford High School in 1962.
In 1962, Bill enlisted in the Army and served in Korea and Vietnam as a Military Police Officer. After honorably leaving the service in 1965, he returned to Hanford, and on April 22, 1965, began his career with the Hanford Police Department as a Patrolman. In 1970, Bill left the police department to join the Kings County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Coroner. In this role, he managed three departments: Coroner, Public Guardian, and Public Administrator. Bill medically retired after 31 years of service. Not one to sit still, Bill returned as a Bailiff in the Kings County Court system. After a year or so, he decided to explore other pursuits.
Bill enjoyed staying busy-he was an avid golfer, card player, and gardener, sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. He loved fishing at his houseboat on Kaweah Lake, fixing things around the house, taking trips to the coast, and occasionally trying his luck with a $20 bill at the Tachi Palace slots. He also cherished meeting friends for coffee at McDonald's.
In retirement, Bill continued to serve his community. He was a member of the Optimist Club, worked with the Youth Soccer League, and traveled with the Rotary Club to Mexico to help maintain local orphanages. Bill also became more involved with the Armona United Methodist Church, where he had grown up. He performed repairs, mowed the lawn, served as a board member, and took on the role of planning and cooking meals for the Wednesday Luncheon, a tradition his mother had started years earlier.
Bill found great joy in his family, particularly in spending time with his granddaughters. He loved picking them up from school, spoiling them with ice cream, helping with homework, and watching them participate in their sports and musical activities.
While Bill was still serving in the Army, he met Margarette "Peggy" Stone at Fort Irwin, California. After dating for four years, they married on July 12, 1969. Bill and Peggy became parents in 1970 with the birth of their first son, Greg. Their second son, Allen, arrived in 1974, and the family grew to include their beloved granddaughters, forming their "girl squad."
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Ott and Alice; his son, Greg; his brothers, Cleatus, Cleo, J.O., and Don; and his sister, Dorothy. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy; his son Allen and wife Tiffany; and his granddaughters Kaeli, Danielle, Aubrey, and Abby Willard, all of Hanford. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Bohard of Madera; his brothers Jerry Willard of Lemoore, and Thelbert Willard and wife Gail of Hanford; sister-in-law Mary Lou Willard (Don) of New Mexico; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss him dearly.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Bristol Hospice, especially Nurses Stephanie and Amanda, for their wonderful kindness and care, and to the staff at the Fresno VA Hospital.
Services Friday, November 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Armona United Methodist Church, 14013 Hanford Armona Road, Armona, CA. Graveside service to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Grangeville Cemetery, 10428 14th Avenue, Armona, CA.
In lieu of flowers, Bill requested donations be made to one of the following:
Armona United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 877, Armona, CA 93202
The American Cancer Society
A charity of your choice