John Wesley Willard

July 19, 2011

John Wesley Willard
John Wesley Willard, 88, of Leflore died Monday, July 11, 2011, at his residence.
Willard was born in Wister on May 31, 1923, the son of the late Wesley and Johnnie (Brooks) Willard.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He married Betty Patchin on May 26, 1973, in Weatherford. He began teaching in Thackerville in 1962, then taught at Leflore school, where he retired in 1985.
He also worked as a farmer/rancher, was a member of the Red Oak Masonic Lodge and served for many years as a deacon at Summerfield Baptist Church. He was an avid hunter.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jimmie Willard; son-in-law, Jerry Ward; and brothers, David Willard and Ben Willard.
He is survived by his wife, Betty of the home; daughters, Marlene and John Meisenheimer of Leflore, and Carla and Lowell Garrett of Leflore; sons, Don Patchin of Leflore, and Bob and Kim Patchin of Jacksboro, Texas; grandchildren, Wesley Ward, Dallas Ward, Smokey Patchin, Melissa Gunter, Christopher Patchin, Ben Patchin and Robby Patchin; six great-grandchildren; brother, Bill and Dora Willard of Red Oak; sister, Emma Monte of Denver, Colo.; and numerous relatives, church family and friends.
The family would like to thank San Bois Home Health and Peachtree Hospice.
Services were held at Summerfield Baptist Church, Summerfield, Thursday, July 14, with Charles Caughern officiating. Burial was at Summerfield Cemetery under the direction of Talihina Funeral Home.