David Andrew Willard

David Andrew Willard, artist/blacksmith/educator, passed away a year ago October 20, 2023 in Williamsburg, Virginia. He left behind his wife of 60 years (Bonnie Jean Payne) and brother (Lee Allen Willard), plus in-laws June Cummings, Susan Grigsby, Sheldon and Kathleen Payne, and Jacqueline and Tom Gardner. He was born in Boston, MA, to Harold Austin Willard and Lily (Sundin) Willard on August 28, 1941. Both his grandfathers were ironworkers. His paternal grandfather, Lee Andrew Willard, lived in Vermont. His maternal grandfather, Anders (Andrew) Gustav (Anderson) lived in Boston, MA and worked on the Boston Custom House Bldg.

David graduated from Braintree High School and then lived in the Beacon Hill area of Boston with two roommates and a Siamese cat called Fu Manchu where they ran a coffeehouse. Enlisting into the U.S. Air Force, he received training at Syracuse U. in NY in the Czechoslovakian language. Dave (aka "Tiny") and Bonnie, a student at Syracuse U., met on a blind date. She fell in love with the handsome 6'8" young man with red hair and sky blue eyes that matched his crisp AF dress shirt. He fell in love with the blonde blue-eyed California girl. Ten months later on August 10, 1963, they married at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in West Los Angeles, CA. Dave then spent 3 years at Vandenberg AFB with the C.E.S. Unit fire station and radar site and coached Pop Warner football while there.

Onward, David earned his AA Degree in History and Art at Shasta College in Redding, CA where he played defensive tackle on the Shasta Knights football team. Dave and Bonnie next resided in married student housing at the University of California at Davis. He played defensive tackle with the Aggies as he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Degree with studies in social sciences, fine arts, and physical education. During his post graduate internship year, he was nominated for Teacher of the Year in Sacramento. He became a member of the Wm. Bull Meek - Wm. Morris Stewart Chapter No. 10 of E Clampus Vitus. In Florida, he taught at Hobe Sound Elementary and the following year, he was team leader of 8 classrooms using the open concept method at Jensen Beach Elementary where he earned Martin County Teacher of the year.

Next, in Reno, Nevada, he earned his Master of Education Degree at the University of Nevada. He participated in many programs administered by university, U.S., state, and private industries teaching college students, job skills to handicapped adults, and managing art for the handicapped events. He was the author and illustrator of the book, "Lizard of Odds", and illustrator of "Tales of Nevada" and "I am Nevada." He also worked at real estate and co-owned an advertising agency. He joined the Sierra Sunrise Toastmasters. At night, he enjoyed being in charge of Tshirt security for many rock concerts in the Reno-Carson City area.

Returning to Florida, he concentrated on his art skills. He painted Florida fish and wildlife scenes using acrylics and enamel on canvasses. His Florida panther painting won blue ribbon at the Martin County Fair. He painted murals at two schools and a restaurant. He also created driftwood sculptures of Florida beach style houses and villages. In addition, he joined with two others to manage and promote a wholesale/retail enterprise with outlets in Jensen Beach and Davie for artists from South Florida and the Dominican Republic.

Next, while driving around the country, Dave and Bonnie encountered the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC where he met Elmer Roush, a resident blacksmith who had honed his skills in Czechoslovakia. Dave had an intensive apprentice experience under Elmer's tutelage for several months and learned to make fancy wizards and Nordic figures, ornate sword handles and bales, iron pot racks, colonial boot scrapers, candle holders, dinner bells, wind chimes, sculptures and garden accessories, etc. Additionally, he used old barn wood to carve and paint various fish planks he called "fishstix" with attached nameplates.

Dave and Bonnie's final stop was in James City County, Virginia, where he became friends with Jimmy Maloney, founder and owner of the Williamsburg Pottery Factory. Dave remained at the Pottery for 15 years using his propane forge instead of coal. He loved interacting with the public and often fashioned rings from hand forged nails for children before their eyes. He would make up his amusing "aminals "(animated animals) mixing and using miscellaneous metal material. One of his larger sculptures, a "tree of life", hangs on a wall at the Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital in Richmond. For a time, he was a member of the James City County Ruritans.

David was a sunny, bright, creative, amusing, and loving human being. He was generous with his time volunteering with overstressed U.S. Veterans and delivering eggs to homebound seniors. He loved his cats, listening to music, fishing, cooking, playing cards, skiing, and water sports of all kind. He enjoyed driving across the U.S. and Canada with Bonnie, often camping along the way. They took trips to Mexico, Hawaii (where her sister, Phyllis, lived), and the Bahamas - Cat Island being their favorite. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. But, slowly, his health deteriorated and he was finally set free on October 20, 2023. His ashes are being scattered at sea. If you so desire, kind remembrances of David can be made to Olive Branch Christian Church, 7643 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188.

No services planned.