Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Bill M. Willard

Born: June 30, 1924, north of Wortham, Texas, in Navarro County.

Death: September 13, 2009, in Longview, Texas.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Janie Willard, of Amarillo, Texas; two sons 
and daughters-in-law, David and Cindy Willard, of Longview, Texas, and 	Jeff and 
Johannah Willard of Amarillo, Texas. Also four grandchildren:  Taryn Boatman and her 
husband, Jeb, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Zane Willard and his wife, Amy, of 
Midland, Texas; and Ridglea Willard and Jet Willard of Amarillo, Texas. He is also 
survived by one great-granddaughter, Elle Boatman of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and 
two sisters: Wanda Smith of Dallas, Texas, and  Connie Gorman of Waxahachie, Texas.

        He was preceeded in death by his parents, Ralph Dewey and Truey Willard, of 
Wortham, Texas, and by a sister, Joan Little, of New York City.

        Bill served his country in World War II in the Pacific Theater with the 2nd Marine 
Division of the United States Marine Corps. He later served in the Korean War with a 
Marine Corps Rocket Battalion.
        
        After his military service, he graduated from Rice University where he played 
football. He then earned a Master’s Degree from West Texas State University.
        
        Bill Willard and Janie Sue Jones were married December 22, 1949, in Snyder, 
Texas, and lived in Sonora and Port Arthur, Texas, where Bill was a high school football 
coach and Janie an elementary school teacher. In August of 1955, Bill was named head 
football coach at Borger High School. Bill and Janie made their home in Borger, Texas, 
for 49  years.
        
        In 1958, Bill left coaching to start Willard Realty, a residential and commercial 
real estate company. In 1976, he founded Willard Oil land Gas, a family owned oil and 
gas exploration and production company. He was also in the cattle and ranching business.
        
        Bill was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Borger, where he 
faithfully served his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was deacon and Sunday School 
teacher. God used Bill’s walk with Christ to impact many lives. In 2002 the Willards 
moved to Amarillo and where they were members of the Trinity Baptist Church.
        
        Interment was at Westlawn Memorial Cemetery, Borger, Texas, Thursday, 
September 17, 2009. A memorial service was held the same day at the First Baptist 
Church, Borger, Texas.