Mr. Otis James Willard

Mr. Otis James Willard, age 92, of Cana, VA, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home. He was born in Surry County on March 27, 1925, to the late Ernest and Effie Combs Willard. Mr. Willard enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II at the age of 18. He bravely served in Italy, France and Germany; also was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a retired produce dealer and orchardist. He was a faithful member of Cana Baptist Church as long as his health permitted. Mr. Willard is survived by his devoted wife, Frances Louise Chaney Willard; a son, Kenneth Willard; nine grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; step children, Jimmy (Glenda) Rippey, Steve (Christine) Rippey, and Karen (Charles) McMillian; daughter-in-law, Joni Rippey; twelve step-grandchildren; twenty-one step-great grandchildren; sisters, Bernell Easter, and Shirley Glass; a brother and sister-in-law, Delmer and Kay Willard. In addition to his parents, Mr. Willard was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian Berrier Willard; an infant daughter; a son, Danny Willard; a grandson, Jeremy Willard; brothers, Paul, Aubrey, and Garnet Willard; and a step-son, Dennis Rippey. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Moody Funeral Home with Rev. Russell Vass and Rev. David Sechrist officiating. Burial will follow in Flower Gap Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors by VFW Memorial Honor Guard, Pilot Mountain Post 9436 & Mt. Airy Post 2019. The family will receive friends at Moody Funeral Home in Mt. Airy from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, November 28, 2017. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation for the care given by, Ann Mayes, Vickie McMillian, Linda Lineberry, Pam Cloud, and all the staff of the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, and special thanks to Sandy Ayers with the VA, for all the extra care and support she gave during Mr. Willard’s declining health.

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