Ken Willard

Kenneth R. "Ken" Willard, 75, formerly of Hutchinson, passed into heaven on February 24, 2024. He was born July 4, 1948, in Miami, OK, to Rev. Kenneth L. and Betty L. (Skaggs) Willard.
Ken was a 1966 graduate of Overland Christian High School, Overland Park. In 1968, he answered Uncle Sam's call and joined the U.S. Navy, serving until 1972. Ken was stationed aboard the USS Ogden, off the coast of Vietnam, and then spent two years at the Naval Air Station, Key West, FL.
On December 26, 1970, he married Deanna Kramer, in Melvern. They shared 53 years of marriage. They adopted a baby girl, Tara Suzanne, in January, 1980. A daughter, Tamra Dyan, was born to them in October, 1981. In 1994, they adopted two brothers and a sister: Shawn Michael (10), Wayne Jordan (8), and Kymena RaeAnn (6).
Ken had a love of politics and completed a political science degree from Washburn University in 1982. He served on the USD 309 school board and on the Kansas State Board of Education for 16 years, a term as President of the National Association of State Boards of Education, as well as various local offices with the Republican Party.
Ken had a 40-year distinguished career as an insurance adjuster, agent, and district sales manager, mostly with American Family Insurance. He was a member of the All-American 25-Year Hall of Fame.
Ken's main passion was sharing Christ through the church. He was a soloist, choir director, church board member, and also went on many Work & Witness trips to Haiti, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Fiji, helping with building projects and showing the Jesus Film. Ken was a long-time board member of Kansas Christian College. He and Deanna were members of RV's On A Mission (ROAM), traveling to church campgrounds from Arizona to Florida to help on work projects.
Ken is survived by: his wife, Deanna; mother, Betty Willard, Hutchinson; daughters, Tara Willard, Hutchinson, Tamra Munguya (Womba), Monument, CO, Kymena Silmon (fiancé Siraj Siddique), Wichita; sons, Shawn Willard (Maria), Gilmer, TX; Wayne Willard (Samantha), South Hutchinson; grandsons, Clay Eckert, Dylan Willard, Dederick Willard-Trass, Dontrell Willard-Trass, Trenton Willard, Caleb Willard, Chayvin Willard, Donnell Willard-Silmon; granddaughters, Kyah Munguya, Arianna Munguya, Ileah Munguya, Michaela Willard, Kelcie Willard, Linzey Willard, Sarah Willard-Silmon, Anna Silmon; great-grandchildren, Izayah Willard, Lehlani Willard; brothers, Gerald Willard (Glenda), Leonard Willard (Jennifer), sister, Ruth Croy (Jeff); sister-in-law, Ginna Willard; five uncles and their spouses; two aunts; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and brothers Glen Willard and Charles Willard.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Inspire Church (formerly First Church of the Nazarene) 4290 N. Monroe, Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors conducted by United States Navy Honor Guard.
The service will be livestreamed. Click this link to view it:
Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: JESUS Film Harvest Partners, 15055 W. 116th St., Olathe, KS 66062, or in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501.