Paul Willard

Paul W. Willard, 96, of McPherson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 2, 2012, at The Cedars Health Care Center, McPherson. He was formerly of Jonesboro, IN, Eldorado Springs, MO, Siloam Springs, AR, Sedalia, MO, Hannibal, MO, Marion, IN, Miller, MO, and Jefferson City, MO. Paul was a retired Free Methodist Pastor.

Paul was born on November 7, 1916, in Preston, KS, the son of Dennis B. and Mahala M. (Rader) Willard. He graduated from Antrim High School and Central College, McPherson.

On August 14, 1942, he was united in marriage to Geraldine R. Layson. She died April 27, 1951. He married Ruth E. Kahlstorf on September 3, 1952, in Laporte, MN. She died on April 29, 2006.

He was a member of the McPherson Free Methodist Church and Toastmasters Club.

Survivors include: three sons, David Willard and wife, Kathryn, of McPherson, KS, James Willard of Colorado Springs, CO, and Dan Willard and wife, Tammy, of Wichita, KS; brothers, Dale Willard, Albert Willard, and Robert Willard, all of Colorado Springs, CO; sister, Dorothy Terrill of Smith Center, KS; 14 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, brothers, Earl Willard and Kenneth Willard, daughter, Jeanie Cox, and grandson, James Daniel Willard.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, December 7, 2012, at the McPherson Free Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Griffith and Rev. Deborah Somerville officiating. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be at a later date in the McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to the Free Methodist Church Children & Youth Programs in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Paul Willard please visit our Sympathy Store.