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Willard Bartlett Obituary
October 19, 1937 - February 2, 2026
Willard Bartlett, III, 88, passed away February 2, 2026 at Mari de Villa in Chesterfield, MO. following a brief illness. Willard was born on October 19, 1937 in St. Louis, Mo. to Dr. Willard Bartlett Jr. and Jane Moulton.
Willard attended what was then St. Louis Country Day School followed by Brown University where he majored in The Classics. His college years were interrupted by a four-year tour of duty in the U.S. Coast Guard where he served as a corpsman.
Returning to St. Louis, he worked with D'Arcy Advertising Company for several years until he applied for and was accepted into the newly formed Peace Corp. He spent four years in
East Africa, teaching English and working part time with a game conservation department. Upon returning to St. Louis, he went to work at the St. Louis Zoo, working in the Big Cat section.
After a long struggle with alcohol, Willard entered himself in the Edgewood Program at Mercy Hospital. After successfully conquering this problem, he became a counselor for Edgewood working and assisting others for twenty years until his retirement. He was an inspiration to many of those whom he served. Following retirement, Willard pursued his love of fishing, wintering in Key West, and his love of nature photography during his summers at Camp Sherman near Sisters, Oregon.
Willard is survived by his brothers Dr. Hugh (Jane) Bartlett of Rolla, Mo. and John Moulton Bartlett of Culver, Indiana; nieces and nephews Cabot Bartlett, Rachel (John Griffin) Bartlett, Jennie (John) Wynne, Sarah (Marcus) Burgher, and John (Ashley) Bartlett. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Willard Bartlett Jr. and Jane Moulton; sister Irene Bartlett Guay.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Lupton Millard Chapel, 7233 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO. 63130 with a Funeral Service to follow in our chapel at 11:00 AM.
Interment will take place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis MO.
Memorial donations may be made to MICDS (school) https://www.micds.org/giving/ and the St. Louis Zoo.
Lupton Millard Chapel
7233 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO. 63130
314-721-1870
Memories and Condolences
for Willard Bartlett
2 Entries
John Carney
February 18, 2026
Willard was true friend, an extremely gifted photographer, eccentric collector, avid fisherman and he had wisdom of the ages. He would visit me and wife once or twice a year for over 25 years. When my wife passed away, he helped me to understand , yes he was a good man and will forever be missed.
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David Wilmot
February 7, 2026
I'm sorry I never got to know this extraordinary man during our time at Mari de Villa. If Heaven has a Social Hour he'll be its brightest star.
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