Donald H. Willard

Donald was born to Leroy Willard and Flora Chase Willard at home in Plummer, Idaho on June 28, 1923. He passed away Oct. 16, 2011 at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Wash. of medical complications after living a long, good life. He loved, was loved and will be missed by many.

The year 1953 began a 58-year marriage between Donald Willard and Judith Larson, who grew up in Polson. They were blessed with four children.

He was a veteran of WWII, serving as a pharmacist mate, second class in the U.S. Navy, training at Farragut, Idaho and stationed at Samar, in the Philippines with Fleet Hospital No. 114 until his discharge in 1946. He was a graduate of the University of Idaho and Wayne State University. He was employed in Richland, Wash., first by General Electric, then Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories until his retirement in 1987.

He is survived by Judith; daughters Karen Wiersma (Fred); Teresa Hurlbert (Regan); Beth Ruff (Edward); son Kevin (Joanne); four grandchildren; sister Vivian Fothergill and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and 11 siblings. The service for him was held Oct. 23.