James Wesley "Jim" Willard

1939 - 2025

James Wesley Willard "Jim"

May 27, 1939 - Jul 24, 2025

James Wesley Willard "Jim" (1939–2025)

The world has lost a remarkable man who was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and who devoted his life to serving and helping others. His perseverance, toughness, compassion, generosity, concern for others, and unwavering love for his family will never be forgotten.

James Wesley Willard, "Jim" of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the age of 86. Jim was born on May 27, 1939, in Davidson County, North Carolina, to the late Hobert Eugene Willard and Alberta Money Willard. He graduated from North Davidson High School, and went on to graduate from Wingate Junior College and Appalachian State Teachers College in biology and education with minor in carpentry. Jim then served in the Army Special Forces and Army National Guard and afterward settled back in Winston-Salem where he met the love of his life Laminda Ann Shytle. Jim and Laminda were married on March 28, 1964, and bought a home in the Ardmore neighborhood where they lived until 2022. They have lived at Brookridge Baptist Retirement home for the past three years.

Jim began his career in medicine at Wake Forest Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as a Junior Faculty member doing research and development in the field of urology and ultrasound for 14 and a half years. During this time, Jim and doctors Boyce, McKinney, Resnick studied ultrasound in medicine and developed one of the first medical ultrasound devices. Jim, along with his fellow researchers had a number of publications on ultrasound in medicine during the 1970's and Jim presented a paper on their research during the Second World Congress of Medicine on Diagnostic Ultrasound held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1973 focused on advancements in diagnostic ultrasound technology and its medical applications. He continued to travel and present papers on their research throughout the early to mid-1970's. This work later led to Jim being recognized as a pioneer in the development of ultrasound where he received the Pioneer Award at the History of Medical Ultrasound Symposium at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., in 1988. After his work at Bowman Gray, Jim went on to work with doctors Weeks, McCune, and McMurchy at Diagnostic Imaging as a Sonographer and Director of Services where they conducted mobile ultrasound services across the Piedmont and Western North Carolina. After 14 years with Diagnostic Imaging, Jim set up the Ultrasound Laboratory at Forsyth Memorial Hospital and was the Ultrasound Department Supervisor there until he retired in 1999.

Although, Jim Willard had a full and celebrated career in medicine, what made his life more extraordinary and memorable was his love for serving others to make the world a better place. Throughout his career he always treated others fairly and ethically and cared for both his coworkers and patients. More importantly though was his unfailing love for his family and his fellow man. Jim had a true servant's heart as he was a faithful member of the Baptist Church throughout his life from Ardmore Baptist, to Northwest Baptist, and Oldtown Baptist churches where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Sunday School Director, Bus Driver, on various committees, and other positions. Jim served with Baptists on Mission's Disaster Relief Ministry for almost 30 years where he helped rebuild homes and do mass feedings for people affected by natural disasters. He served during hurricanes Fran, Floyd, Katrina, and Sandy among many others. Jim made several overseas missions to serve in India and Haiti and he also served as a member of The Gideons International distributing Bibles.

In addition to his faithful Christian service throughout his life, Jim served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He helped guide his son to become an Eagle Scout and Jim earned the Wood Bage Adult Leadership Training in 1985, and was also elected to the Order of the Arrow for his service in Scouting.

Above all else, Jim Willard was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and Christian example of how one should treat others. He always had a kind word and also a good sense of humor. Jim loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, traveling, gardening, and doing woodworking or fixing things at home, but most of all spending time with his family. Jim Willard leaves a legacy of love and concern for others that will never be forgotten. We will all miss you dearly Jim Willard and the world is a better place because you fought the good fight till the end. We have the blessed assurance that Jim is now walking with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in Heaven.

Along with his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother Morris E. Willard, and sister Betty Lou Willard Brown. He is survived by his wife Laminda Shytle Willard; son, James W. Willard II "J. Wes" and wife Hazel S. Willard and their children James "Wesley" Willard III and Hannah Grace Willard; niece, Lou Carol Brown Fix and her son Adam L. Fix; and nephew Kenneth "Kenny" Lee Brown and wife Tammie Lee Crotts Brown; great-nephew Carlin Brown and wife Angela Brown and their children Taylor and Haiden Brown; and great-nephew Weston Brown and wife Mary Anna Brown and their children Ryland and Cannon Brown.

A memorial service in honor of the life of Jim Willard will be held at Ardmore Baptist Church located at 501 Miller Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Baptists on Mission's Disaster Relief Ministry (https://baptistsonmission.org/Give), in his honor.

Fond memories and online condolences may be left at www.voglerfuneralhome.com for the Willard family.