James Willard, 81 / May 07, 1928 – April 28, 2010

Published 2:02 pm Thursday, May 6, 2010

James Willard, 81

James Robert “Bob” Willard, 81, of Lenawee Drive, Cassopolis died Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in his home.
He was born May 27, 1928 in Cassopolis to the late Jesse P. and Beulah B. (Seals) Willard, and was a lifetime area resident.
Bob was a retired well driller, and had worked at B.J. Lewis & Sons Well Drilling, Cassopolis, and last at Peerlesxs Midwest Ina., Granger. Bob was a member of the Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis. He was also a member of the Diamond Lake Golf Club, Cassopolis. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
He married the former Barbara J. Deforest on July 21, 1950 in Cassopolis, and she survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Cynthia A. Willard, of New Orleans, and Cassopolis; a son, Kenneth R. Willard, of Elkhart; three grandchildren, Travis Willard, Derek Willard and MacKenzie Willard; and a great-grandson, Tre Willard.
Bob was preceded in death by five sisters, Mayme Lorene Gogley, Marvene Brown, Vera Closson, Doris Bickel and Carma Poehlman; and two brothers, Richard Willard and Thomas Willard.
A funeral service was held Monday, May 3, 2010 at 11 a.m, in the Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis. Officiating was the Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor and the Rev. Jeff Oliver, pastor. Internment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis.
The family received friends Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis.
Memorials my be made to Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis.
Condolensces may be left at connellyfuneralhome@verizon.net.