Keith Earl Willyard

Keith, a former Methodist convert to Catholicism, was born in Grand Rapids, MI on June 9, 1933. He was a proud and loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather, and continued his journey to our Lord on December 24, 2025. He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Marilyn Jeanne; three children, Kent E. Willyard, wife Pam, Kelli E. Vander Werf, husband Mike, Kirk E. Willyard, wife April; five grandchildren, Sarah, Rebekah, Michael, Brandon and Ashley; and two great grandchildren, Annie and AJ. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Jeannine Willyard, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins who brought endless joy to his life. He was blessed to have had a circle of friends for the last 92 years that he considered family. Keith was predeceased by his parents Earl and Henrietta Willyard, his sisters Lorraine Y. Krause and Doris M. Edwards, sister-in-law Maryon Willyard, and his brothers Kenneth E. and Victor A. Willyard.

Keith served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He retired from IBM Corporation after 33 years, which took him and his family to live in five different states and eight different cities. He had a special place in his heart for those less fortunate and dedicated his life to serving others. He sold real estate for a period of time and worked with Dale Carnegie Training. Keith was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, and a former member of Community United Methodist Church. Keith was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and had been a member of a number of service clubs. He served on many volunteer boards, which evolved through his involvement with IBM, with his church, and his employment with Marian Manor Retirement and Assisted Living facility and with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nursing and Alzheimer's facility, where he shared his love and compassion for others as a pastoral counselor. His final resting place will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, or in his name to St. John the Apostle Catholic Church or Community United Methodist Church. Please post your fondest condolences to the family on the Cremation Society of Virginia's website.