C. B. Willard, Jr.

C.B. Willard, Jr., formerly of Groesbeck, passed away Monday, March 3, 2014 in Navasota, where he had been living the past few years. He was 91. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M., at Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 6, 2014, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Tracy Sims of the Central Baptist Church of Thornton officiating. Music will be provided by Susan Lancaster, pianist. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Stutts, Kenneth Gibson, Spencer Wilson, Brian Gibson, Morris Defriend, Jason Workman, and Jordan Fickey. C.B. was born September 9, 1922 in Groesbeck to Cantrell Bethel Willard, Sr. and Lela Rodgers Willard. He attended school at Prairie Point, graduating from Groesbeck High School in 1939. He received an Associate's Degree from Navarro Jr. College. C.B. served in World War II from October 1943 through December 25, 1945. He was a Mess Sgt.in the Third Army 206 Engineer Combat Battalion, with time spent in Normandy, France, Rhineland, Germany and Central Europe. C.B. was united in marriage with Linga Nell Hines on December 25, 1945 in Houston. They lived in Houston until 1955 when they moved to Groesbeck and began farming. While Mrs. Willard worked as a school nurse, C.B. farmed and later worked as a ranch foreman for Cannon Barron and also worked as a mail carrier for the U. S. Post Office in Groesbeck. During this time, C.B. volunteered for the Limestone County Emergency Corps. He went on to work for the Groesbeck Police Department in 1974 and served as Police Chief until 1978. C. B. then began working as a police officer for the Mexia Police Dept. He patrolled the city and walked the downtown "beat." In 1987, he went to work as a deputy for the Limestone County Sheriff's Department where he worked until he retired in 1991. He continued to work at times as a bailiff or jailer during his early retirement years. C.B. spent many hours in his workshop creating woodwork crafts, creating many bird houses, feeders, and other items. He also enjoyed growing beautiful roses. He was known to enjoy walking his yard in the early morning, returning with a handful of beautiful roses for Mrs. Willard to put in a vase. He was a Baptist and a member of Groesbeck Masonic Lodge. C.B. was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Joan Willard in 1950; brother, Elva Wesley Willard; and his wife, Linga Nell in 2002. He is survived by daughter, Emily Willard Moore of Navasota; daughter, Kathleen Willard Legitt of Trinity; son, Wesley James Willard and wife Joanna of Austin; grandchildren: Glenna Moore Workman and husband Jason of Hallsville, Johnna Moore Simpson and husband Ryan of Cypress, Travis Fickey and wife Jenipher of Lovelady, Jordan Fickey and wife Morgan of Bedias, Jacob Willard and Hannah Willard of Austin; great grandchildren: Meadow, August and Van Workman, Chloe and John Simpson, Natalee and Jayde Fickey, and Colt Agee; and niece, Linda Willard Bane and her husband Bo of Groesbeck. For anyone wishing to make donations in memory of Mr. Willard, the family has requested the "Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry" (% Bill Haynes, 375 LCR 358, Mart, TX 76664.)