Henry Harrison Willard

Henry Harrison Willard, 96, of Odessa, Missouri passed away on December 24, 2012 at home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. Second St., Odessa, MO 64076, 816-633-5524, with Reverend John Churchill officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2012 at the funeral home. Burial with military rites will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. Memorials are suggested to the Dover Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ralphojones.com. Henry was born on August 18, 1916 in Hodge, MO to John Henry and Ida Mae (Hayes) Willard. As a child he attended the Slusher School in Dover, MO. He worked on the dairy farm at the Confederate Home in Higginsville, MO. On April 18, 1944 he joined the United States Navy and served in World War II. March 12, 1939 he married Marion Lee Gunn at the Confederate Chapel in Higginsville, MO. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Odessa. He retired from Wilson Foods as a truck driver after 28 years. When Henry wasnt working he could be found working on his farm in Mayview. He loved motorcycles and was a member of the Show-Me Motorcycle Club. He like going to the Cloud Lake Races and Field Events, the Scramble Track and dancing. Henry loved to be around his friends and family and will be greatly missed. Henry is survived by two children, Bob Willard and wife Sue of Mayview, MO and Larry Willard and wife Debbie of Odessa, MO; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a brother, Johnny W. Willard and wife Gilda Mae of Monroe, Louisiana; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and five sisters.