Billy J. Willard Sr., 87, a.k.a. “Papa” resided in Coeur d’Alene. He passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012, at Hospice of North Idaho. He was born in Baxter Springs, Kan., on Feb. 15, 1925, to Gordon and Lucy Willard and later moved to Eskridge, Kan., where he was raised.

Bill was a Navy Veteran of World War II. He was assigned to the USS Thomas F. Nickel, DE587, as a radar operator in the South Pacific and was better known as a “tin can” sailor. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Bill was the operator and owner of a pool hall in Eskridge. He married the love of his life, Catherine (Katie) R. Bowers on Aug. 31, 1947, in Eskridge in the Catholic Church. They would have been married 65 years in August of this year. In 1952 they moved from Eskridge to Pinehurst where Bill worked at the Bunker Hill Zinc Plant until 1960, at which time he went to work at the Triple R Ranch at the north end of Hayden Lake until 1969. In 1969 he went to work for the Lakes Highway District until retirement.

His most treasured moments were spending time with his family. He was deeply devoted to those he loved, and was loved by his family with that same devotion. His hobby was woodworking and collecting limbs to make canes and walking sticks for family and friends. He loved to strike a match to burn brush with his son. He also read extensively and was a crossword puzzle buff.

He is survived by his wife, Katie of Coeur d’Alene; daughters, Kathy Needham (Wayne) of Spokane and Lisa Pryer (Brian) of Hayden; sons, Billy Jr. (Marilyn) of Hayden and James (Ruth) of Anchorage, Alaska; 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; as well as one step-grandchild and six step-great-grandchildren. Bill also has two surviving siblings, Tom Willard and Sally Bozarth, both of Kansas; and sister-in-law Jerry Willard, also of Kansas; plus numerous nephews and nieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and one sister; as well as two grandsons, Scott Moore and Andrew Willard.

Family and friends’ celebration of his life will be at a later date this summer. In lieu of flowers donations to a charity of your choice or to North Idaho Hospice in Hayden. Please visit Bill’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.