Earl Willard, age 92, died Friday afternoon, May 13, 2011 at his home near Durango, Colorado .

Earl was born on August 20, 1918 to Dennis and Haley Willard in Preston, Kansas. He served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946 and was stationed in the Philippines during World War II .

Until recent months he lived in Meade, Kansas after coming to settle there in 1946. On January 16, 1949 he married Dorothy Louise Hanlon in Meade, Kansas.

Earl had a gentle and quiet spirit and would be found many times reading the Bible or singing his favorite hymns. He possessed strong Christian values and was a giver of great love for his family. While their two sons were in the home, Earl was passionate about having a daily time of reading the Word of God and praying together. He was a longtime, faithful member of the Meade Church of the Nazarene in Meade, Kansas . He enjoyed photography and collecting knives, coins and model cars.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of the home, two sons: Dale, and his wife Shae, Durango, Colorado; Ken, and his wife Patty, Colorado Springs, Colorado ; one sister, Dorothy Terrell, Smith Center, Kansas; four brothers, Paul, McPherson, Kansas; Robert, Albert and Dale all of Colorado Springs, Colorado; five grandchildren; Lance and Debbie Willard of Turpin, Oklahoma, Amanda (Willard) and Shawn Edwards of Lawrence, Kansas, Linnzi (Willard) and Raul Pando of Liberal, Kansas , Kelly and Ben Norton of Durango, Colorado and Chris Roby of Tulsa, Oklahoma . He also leaves behind three great grandchildren, Brooke Pando, Marcus Pando and Christian Edwards ; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and one brother, Kenneth.

Memorial service will be held in Durango , Colorado on Monday, May 23, 2011 at the River Church , 860 Plymouth Dr. at 1:00pm with Rev. Tony Whittal officiating. Graveside services will be held in Meade, Kansas at the Graceland Cemetery on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 10:00am. Rev. Ron Willard will preside at the graveside.

Memorial gifts can be sent to Meade Church of the Nazarene/Entry Renovation Project, P.O. Box 610, Meade, Kansas 67864 .