Mexia Daily News - Jan. 27, 2005 edition
by J. R. (Sonny) Sessions

'...

Ranger Tim Willard

Born October 12, 1895, the youngest of 13 children born to James M. and Ida
Lake Willard. Tim Willard served in the 144th Infantry in WWI. Appointed a
Texas Ranger involved in enforcing the Whisky violations. Murdered at a whisky
still April 19, 1928 by a man named Fagan near Clay Hill.

Ranger Willard's funeral reported to have been one of the largest held in
Freestone Co. with an estimated 2000 citizens in attendance. The eulogy was
done by Mr. P.D. Browne, at Lakes Chapel Cemetery, east of Fairfield. Nearly 70
years later another Freestone Co. native law enforcement officer Ricky Ward
buried here also under very similar circumstances after being murdered as a
Mexia City Policeman.

In the Freestone Co. History Volume 1, page 655 there is a very appropriate
poem written by Mrs. Altha Bond Wren, "The Death of a Texas Ranger."

...
'