[Note - This is Joseph Franklin Willard b. 22 Feb 1855 in Cannon Co., TN to
William W. Willard and Telitha Summers/Summar.]


Fairfield Recorder - Friday, February 26, 1926

DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT

Mr. Frank WILLARD died at his home at Ward Prairie last Sunday after a three or
four days illness of pneumonia. His body was interred in the Lake Chapel
Cemetery the following day. Eld. H. L. MCKISSICK conducting services. A large
number of friends and relatives from different places were present.

Mr. WILLARD would have 71 years old the day following his death. He had
been a resident of Freestone County 56 years, all but three years of which
being spent in the Ward Prairie community. He was a man of exceptional fine
qualities and no better citizen lived in the county. He is survived by his
wife, two sons, and four daughters and other relatives.
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Fairfield Recorder - Friday, Apr. 2, 1926

IN MEMORY OF MR. FRANK WILLARD

On Monday evening, Feb. 22, 1926, the mortal remains of Mr. Frank WILLARD were
laid to rest beneath a bank of beautiful flowers in the Lake Chapel Cemetery.
Funeral services conducted by Eld. H. L. MCKISSICK. He passed away Sunday
evening surrounded by his loving family and was conscious that death was
drawing near. Had he lived one more day he would have been 71 years old. He
leaves, besides a wife, five children. Two sons, Nelse and Douglas of Ward
Prairie and three daughters, Mrs. Ben PHILIPS of Ward Prairie, Mrs. Joe HOBBS
of Frost, and Mrs. Virgie ROBERTSON of Dallas. Besides these he leaves a number
of other relatives and friends to mourn his death. The writer had known him
hardly a year, but feeling the ache in her own heart, deeply sympathized with
all to whom he was so dear.

Weep not dear ones, There will in time come into your life a sweet memory as
the years go by. Time will help heal the wound. His memory will become a
divinity, recollection of his sweet life, will in time gild the clouds of your
shadowed life like the tents of a setting sun. When your heart seems almost
crushed with this burden of sorrow, think of the happiness that is his. Think
how much our sorrow and suffering he has spared, he is now a treasure in a
better world. The gate there which he passed to peace and joy unspeakable is
left open so that in due time we may follow. He can not come back to you, but
you can go to him. Let this be your consolation and strive to enter in. His
spirit to pure for this duel mortal strife has flown to its father, the giver
of life. Yet weep not as those who sorrow in vein, for in mansion's of rest you
shall meet again and to his friends and loved ones, my sympathy I extend as ask
that god may bless you, till life it's self shall end.

R. A.