Official Obituary of
Harold D Willard
March 16, 2012
Harold Willard Obituary
Harold D. Willard, 86, of Moline, IL, died Friday, March 16, 2012 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary, Ltd., East Moline, with services following at 11:00 a.m. Rev. John Davenport and Rev. Karl Roberts will officiate. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park, Moline.
Harold D. Willard was born September 6, 1925 in Dixon, IL, the son of Roy R. and Gertrude G. (Fritts) Willard. He had the same grade school principal as Ronald Regan. He graduated from Dixon High School and entered the Army shortly afterward.
On VE Day he was 10 miles east of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia in the 97th Infantry Division. The 97th was deployed to the Far East for the invasion of Japan. The A-Bomb made this unnecessary, so on September 25, 1945, the 97th landed for occupation duty. Re enlisting for a short turn, he was assigned to the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Campbell, KY. Here it was chosen to be Headquarters Battery for Task Force Fridged. The unit went to Fort Ord, CA to form a team of 1,496 enlisted men, 132 officers, and 28 permanent observers. They shipped out on his 21st birthday. He had spent his 20th on board ship during amphibious training off the coast of California.
The West Point officers started taking Russian classes. After spending over seven months in Alaska taking equipment, clothing and soldiers, we shipped back to Fort Ord to write up the findings.
He started college with the GI Bill. He first attended the University of IL extension at Galesburg. He was caught up in the field between university and government mostly about book charges and credit load and he transferred to Indiana Tech for two quarters.
Harold transferred to Western IL University in fall of 1949. He received BS in 1952 and MS in chemistry in 1953. He associated with Service Rubber Co. for two years.
He married Willadean Small in Rock Island on August 13, 1955. He taught high school for two years (Bowen and Viola). He joined Moline Community College as fourth full time staff member. He was the only math department head.
He took summer graduate work mostly through old Atomic Energy Commission at Michigan State University, Oregon State University, University of Iowa, Bucknell University, Duquesne University, Pittsburg, and University of Illinois.
He retired after 28 years at Blackhawk College and spent much time doing volunteer work at Community Christian Church, Moline, of which he was a founding member.
He is survived by his wife, Willadean and grandson, Mark R.Willard, granddaughter, Tara F. Willard and 2 great grandchildren, Mya and Madison Willard, all of Moline.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister, and son, Mark.
Harold D. Willard was born September 6, 1925 in Dixon, IL, the son of Roy R. and Gertrude G. (Fritts) Willard. He had the same grade school principal as Ronald Regan. He graduated from Dixon High School and entered the Army shortly afterward.
On VE Day he was 10 miles east of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia in the 97th Infantry Division. The 97th was deployed to the Far East for the invasion of Japan. The A-Bomb made this unnecessary, so on September 25, 1945, the 97th landed for occupation duty. Re enlisting for a short turn, he was assigned to the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Campbell, KY. Here it was chosen to be Headquarters Battery for Task Force Fridged. The unit went to Fort Ord, CA to form a team of 1,496 enlisted men, 132 officers, and 28 permanent observers. They shipped out on his 21st birthday. He had spent his 20th on board ship during amphibious training off the coast of California.
The West Point officers started taking Russian classes. After spending over seven months in Alaska taking equipment, clothing and soldiers, we shipped back to Fort Ord to write up the findings.
He started college with the GI Bill. He first attended the University of IL extension at Galesburg. He was caught up in the field between university and government mostly about book charges and credit load and he transferred to Indiana Tech for two quarters.
Harold transferred to Western IL University in fall of 1949. He received BS in 1952 and MS in chemistry in 1953. He associated with Service Rubber Co. for two years.
He married Willadean Small in Rock Island on August 13, 1955. He taught high school for two years (Bowen and Viola). He joined Moline Community College as fourth full time staff member. He was the only math department head.
He took summer graduate work mostly through old Atomic Energy Commission at Michigan State University, Oregon State University, University of Iowa, Bucknell University, Duquesne University, Pittsburg, and University of Illinois.
He retired after 28 years at Blackhawk College and spent much time doing volunteer work at Community Christian Church, Moline, of which he was a founding member.
He is survived by his wife, Willadean and grandson, Mark R.Willard, granddaughter, Tara F. Willard and 2 great grandchildren, Mya and Madison Willard, all of Moline.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister, and son, Mark.
Date Of Visitation
March 20, 2012 at 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Date Of Service
March 20, 2012 at 11:00 a. m.
March 20, 2012 at 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Date Of Service
March 20, 2012 at 11:00 a. m.
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