Willard R. Douglas

Willard Rogers Douglas, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, hard work, and quiet faithfulness that spans generations and points heavenward.

Willard was born on February 11, 1931, in Peoria Heights, Illinois, to Willard Wayne Douglas and Opal E. (Sanders) Douglas. He grew up in Peoria, Illinois, where he attended Woodruff High School and learned early the values of diligence, integrity, and perseverance - qualities that would mark his entire life.

On January 31, 1951, in Peoria, Illinois, Willard married the love of his life, Kathern Rose Treat of Ozark, Illinois. Together they built a home grounded in faith, commitment, and love. Kathern preceded him in death on February 25, 2010, and Willard carried her memory with devotion and hope for the remainder of his life.

Willard worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, Illinois, for thirty years, serving faithfully in the foundry and the tool crib. He retired on September 1, 1982, and was a proud member of UAW Local 974. His strong work ethic carried into every area of life. In addition to his career, he was a skilled interior and exterior house painter, known for doing careful, quality work.

His faith was central to his life. Willard deeply loved the truth of the Oneness of God and the Apostolic faith, passionately believing and teaching the message found in Scripture. He served faithfully as a worship leader, teacher, and lay preacher at the Pentecostals of Peoria in Peoria, Illinois, and later as a teacher and lay preacher at Shenandoah Pentecostal Church in Staunton, Virginia. He was a diligent student of the Word, a generous supporter of Global Missions, and a man who believed the gospel must be lived as well as preached.

Willard was known for being kind, hardworking, humorous, generous, and faithful - but he would be the first to admit he wasn’t perfect. He loved to win, especially at rummy and Scrabble, and was never above adding a “clarifying rule” or two along the way if it helped ensure that outcome. When the cards didn’t cooperate, he might be heard quietly muttering, “sick puppies,” in frustration over a losing hand. Fittingly, he won a Scrabble game just a few days before his passing. He also loved basketball and was especially proud of his dependable hook shot. He enjoyed travel, sports, reading, and studying the Bible.

He is survived by his children, Judy (William) Merricks, Greg (Becky) Douglas, Bill (Vivian Kay) Douglas, Barbara (Robbie) Staton, and Darla (Lou) Huff; his grandchildren, Jeff (Megan) Merricks, Kimberley (Jason) Adkins, Jill (Charlie) Pavie, Chad (Kristen) Douglas, Kayla (Matthew) Rushing, Benjamin Douglas, Eric (Becca) Douglas, Kara Staton, Caleb Douglas, Anshirley (Devin) Corathers, Paul Huff, Katelyn Huff; his great-grandchildren, Emma (Lucas) Rodriquez, Kerrigan Merricks; Alana Douglas, Isabella Adkins, Nic Pavie, Myles Rushing, Max Rushing, Kaden Rushing, Colton Douglas, Ezra Corathers, Adalyn Douglas, Kristian Rushing, Peter “Mason” (Zaina) Leonard, Noah Leonard, Jenna Leonard, Lauren (Cody) Carlin, Logan (Taylor) Leonard, Karter Leonard, Shayne Leonard, Rylee Leonard, Chloe Leonard, Lacey Leonard, Mary Leonard, Gabriel Leonard, Charlotte Leonard, and Elliott Leonard; his great-great-grandchildren, Serenity Leonard, Owen Leonard, Silas Leonard, Amelia Leonard, River Leonard, and Rhys Leonard; his sister, LaVonne (Charles) Marshall and her son Adrian Wolfe, whom Willard helped raise and who loved and admired him dearly; and many nieces and nephews.

Willard is preceded in death by his wife, Kathern Rose Douglas; his father, Willard Wayne Douglas; his mother, Opal E. Sanders Douglas; his brother, Bobbie “Sonnie” Douglas; his sisters, Muriel Maxine Douglas and Sharon Carlson; his grandchildren Veneta (Jeremy) Leonard and Alana Merricks; and his great-grandchild, Mckayla Pavie.

Among his favorite Scriptures were 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 12:1, Colossians 2:9, John 1:1 and 14, and Acts 2:38—verses that shaped both, his theology and his life.

He often said with sincerity, “Hell is a terrible place. I sure don’t want to go there.” He lived accordingly.

In lieu of flowers, and in consideration of Willard’s love for Global Missions, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the United Pentecostal Church International Global Missions Administrative Endowment (https://unitedpentecostalfoundation.com/give/) by selecting One-Time Giving and designating the gift to 1007 Global Missions Administrative Endowment.

To honor Willard's life and the people that he loved, memorial services will be held in both Virginia and Illinois.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Shenandoah Pentecostal Church, 1976 Spring Hill Road, Staunton, VA 25401.

A second memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at First Pentecostal Church of Ozark, 90 Locust Road, Ozark, Illinois, with inurnment to follow at Wise-Robinson Cemetery, Ozark, Illinois.