Robert Jefferson Willard

Mr. Robert Jefferson Willard, 87, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at his home. Mr. Willard was born April 22, 1937, in Surry County, the son of the late Bernard and Mary Davis Willard. A man of many trades, Robert was known for his wisdom, hard work, and willingness to help others, if they were willing to help themselves. He lived his life by the principle that “a man will be judged not by his appearance but by his character,” a philosophy that shaped how he interacted with the world. He is survived by his four children, Robert Willard and his wife, Rose, Lance Willard, James Willard, and Ashia McNabb and her husband, Roger; and his grandchildren, Brandon Taylor and his fiancée, Amber Atkinson, Ryan Willard, Jeremy Willard, Sierra Calvillo, Dakota Rinker, Danielle Willard, Abigail Willard, Kelsie Reeves, Jonathan Bolin, Kayla Wheeler and her husband, Ben, Kiersten Hart, and Kendall Hart. In addition to his parents, Mr. Willard was preceded in death by a grandson, Jacob Myers; and six siblings, Roger, RJ, Paul, Georgie, Russell, and Dennis Willard. The funeral service will be held Friday, December 6, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Westside Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. No formal visitation will be held. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.