Freestone County, Texas
Obits


[Nancy Elizabeth Yates w/o Benjamin Willard]

Houston Chronicle, Thursday, May 27, 1954

"Fairfield - (Spl) - Mrs. Ben Willard, in a serious condition in the hospital 
here, missed a great moment to which she had looked forward.  Wednesday 
evening four of her grandchildren, plus two of her great-grandchildren, 
received diplomas.  In addition, one grandchild and one great grandchild were 
graduated from grammar school.

Mrs. Willard has lived in Fairfield all her life.  She became ill two weeks
ago.  She is the mother of 10 children, nine living; 31 grandchildren and 32
great-grandchildren.  Her husband died about eight years ago, and she has been 
living with her daughter Mrs. Tom Willard [should be Mrs. Tom Bonner] of
Fairfield.

Grand children graduating from high school are Janice Ritter, daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Maurice Ritter; Tommy Willard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Willard, Sr.;
Lou Willard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Colon Willard; Tom Bonner, Jr. son of Mr.
and Mrs. Bonner.  The two great-grandchildren are Sue Wood, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Forrest Wood of Teague, and Lesile Bonner, Jr., son of Dr. and Mrs. L. L. 
Bonner.

The grammar school graduates are Annette Ritter, whose sister was graduating 
from high school and Sallie Bonner, whose brother also was graduated from high
school."


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FAIRFIELD RECORDER, Thursday  June 10, 1954
Death Claims Mrs. Ben Willard, rites held Wed.

Mrs. Ben Willard, 86, died at the local hospital at 12:45 P.M. Monday following
an extended illness.  Funeral services were held from the Calvary Baptist 
Church Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. W. M. Barger and the Rev. James Morgan
officiating.  Burial followed at Lakes Chapel Cemetery.

Pall bearers were Ramon Kirgan, Marvin Harris, Gene Davis, Robert Speed, Billie
Bonner and Jack Ritter.

Mrs. Willard was born Nancy Elizabeth Yates in Nacogdoches County, September 16, 
1867, the daughter of Daniel T. and Margaret [should be Martha] J. Pate Yates.
She was married to Ben Willard July 3, 1884 at Ward Prairie, where they lived 
until his death July 18, 1943. 

Survivors include five sons, Kirt L. Willard, Palestine; Joe Willard, Dallas; 
John Vernon Willard, and Colon J. Willard all of Fairfield; four daughters,
Mrs. Tom Bonner, Mrs. Paul Bonner, and Mrs. Morris [should be Maurice] Ritter,
Fairfield; and Mrs. Lon Childs of Houston, three brothers, A. J. Yates, Mentone,
Calif; S. R. Yates and J. S. Yates, Yuma, Ariz., 31 grandchildren, 34 great-
grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Capps Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.