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Jr. Willard

Edwin James Willard, Jr., was born September 18, 1941, at Peoria, Illinois, to Edwin James Willard and Marjorie June DuBois Willard.  He departed this life on April 15, 2019, at the age of seventy-seven years.

On October 5, 1992, he was married at Memphis, Tennessee, to Mia Harper.

Jr. moved to West Plains, Missouri as a young child where he graduated with the Class of 1959. He worked at local car dealerships before going into business with his father at Willard Brothers where later he became a partner.  He played baseball and softball as a young man and continued to enjoy the sport as an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Jr. had a love of the outdoors.  He enjoyed bird hunting with his dad. He was an avid fisherman and a longtime member of the Bass Club.  He also enjoyed a good game of golf.  In retirement, Jr. and Mia became snowbirds, enjoying the Florida sun and walks on the beach hunting for shells.  Those that knew Jr., know he was a compassionate and giving man with a large heart who loved and was loved.

He is survived by his wife, Mia Willard, of the family home; his children, Jason Willard and wife, Regina, West Plains, Tracy Crawford and husband, Randy, Georgetown, Texas, Dan Sisco and wife, Shelley, Mountain Grove, Missouri and Keri Evans and husband, Steve, West Plains; five grandchildren, Jay, Carley, Ciara, Makenzie and Jace; two great-grandchildren, Kinleigh and Noah; his brother, Dennis Willard and wife, Sue; his sister, Julia Sheldon and husband, Skyler; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and lifelong friends that loved him dearly.

His parents and his beloved grandson, Jaxson Lake Willard, preceded him in death.

Mr. Willard will lie in state from 11:00 a.m., until 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2019, at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  The family will receive their friends from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m., Friday, followed by a Celebration of the life of Jr. at 5:00 p.m.  Friends are invited to share memories of Jr. at www.robertsondrago.com which will be read during the Celebration.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.