Wesley McKinley Willard

Wesley McKinley Willard, 93, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Campbell, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born February 23, 1932, in Campbell, to Lawrence Able and Mary Magdaline (Dover) Willard, Wesley was one of ten children. Wesley and Helen (Adams) Deevers were married October 22, 1999. She survives.

Wesley served over 24 years in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal 1st Oak Lear Cluster; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Berlin); Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; and the Good Conduct Medal (8th). He was honorably discharged March 31, 1976.

After his military discharge, he worked 16 years in the bakery at Schnucks in Cape Girardeau. Wesley enjoyed oil painting and was a member of Victory Church in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Helen Willard of Cape Girardeau, and her children: Kim (Troy) Thompson of Advance, Missouri; Sarah (David) Pickens of Jackson; Karen (Scott) Steger of Jackson; Jimmy (Gina Lei) Deevers of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two siblings, Geraldine Todd of Cape Girardeau; Dennis Willard of Campbell, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anneliese Karla Grunow; his parents; and seven siblings: Troy, Alva, Wilma, Dean, Bobby, Coy, and Mary Lou.

Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Nathan Franks will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home, followed by military honors. The graveside committal service will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Campbell at approximately 2 p.m., Thursday afternoon.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Victory Church.

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