William E. Willard

William E. Willard Athol – William E. “Dudley” Willard, 82, of 245 School Street, died Friday, September 2, 2011 at the Athol Memorial Hospital.      He was born November 30, 1928 in Athol, Massachusetts, the son of Leon E. and Dorothy E. (Gager) Willard.  Bill has lived in Athol all of his life, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Missouri during World War II.        He owned and operated W.E. Willard Company for over 20 years.  He was a member of the North Quabbin Lodge of Masons A.F. and A.M. and served as Master of the former Athol Lodge.  Bill was also a member, past president and past Lt. Governor of the Kiwanis Club.  He also was a member of the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks where he served as chaplain, Order of Easter Star Themis Chapter where he was past patron.  He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and collecting antiques.      He leaves his wife of 63 years, Roberta B. (Holloway) Willard; two sons, Jerome Willard and his wife Ingrid of Orange and Jeffrey Willard; a daughter Linda S. Woods, both of Athol; a brother, Robert Willard of Winchendon; four grandchildren, Octavia Willard Brooks and her husband Trevor, Christen Willard, Jamie Lajoie and Crystal Gaboury.  He was predeceased by a son, William E. Willard, Jr.      A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol with the Rev. Fr. Richard A. Jakubauskas, pastor of Our Lady Immaculate Church officiating.  There will be a calling hour from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Silver Lake Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Those wishing to make a contribution in Bill’s name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });