Willard Francis Yardley, 98, of Kirksville, Mo. passed away Thursday, May 10th, 2018, at Macon Health Care Center, Macon, Mo.

The son of Edward Yardley and Nellie Mae (Kirkpatrick) Yardley. He was born on August 20th, 1919 in Kirksville, Mo. On September 15,1945 Willard was united in marriage to Nettie Louise Ownbey for sixty-seven years. To this marriage four children were born.

Willard is survived by one son and daughter-in law, Willard (Sonny) and Twyla Yardley of Jefferson City, MO; three daughters and two sons-in law, Willa Mae and Leon Hutcheson, Roxie and Darreld Parks, all of Kirksville, MO and Teresa Hatfield and fiancé, Steven Svihl of Brashear, MO and special friend, Jeff Hatfield of Kirksville, MO; one sister, Christine (Ann) Roberson of Ohio, one sister-in law, Gerry Evans of Kirksville, MO; two nephews, Clell (Shirley) Evans of Kirksville, MO and John (Sandy) Dreyer of Fulton, MO; ten grandchildren, Laura (Rich) Morrow, Clint Parks, Bryon (Grace) Hutcheson, Sheila (Joe) Wyatt, Reid (Becky) Yardley all of Kirksville, MO, Karla (Terry) Abney of Nebo, Illinois, Staci (Randy) Schaefer of St. Peters, MO, Chase Morrow of Shelbina, MO, Kiley Daniels of Keystone, FL, and Rachel Poston (Colton) Peavler of N. Carolina; 14 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren, and many nieces and cousins.

Willard is preceded in death by his wife, Louise on June 28, 2013, his parents, step dad, Ira Stogdill; five brothers, Ernest (Ernie) and William (Bill) of Mexico, MO, Glen of Kirksville, MO, Floyd and Clarence; two sisters-in law, Norma Ownbey and Georgia (Ownbey) Dreyer both of Kirksville, MO; father-in-law George Earnest Ownbey, mother-in law, Olive Mae (Bennett) (Ownbey) Novinger and one nephew, James David (J.D.) Dreyer all of Kirksville, MO.

Willard was a lifelong resident of Kirksville, MO and attended Kirksville Public School through the eigth grade. From 1941-1945 Willard served in the U.S. Army as Corporal. Served in WWII and Merrill's Mauraders and was awarded many medals including the Purple Heart.

Willard spent most of his life farming working for Raymond Ashbey of LaPlata, Mo with White Herford Bulls and George 'Dave' Whiteside of Kirksville, MO with registered Black Angus cattle southwest of Kirksville, MO. He was employed with International Shoe Factory, Kirksville, MO as night watchman for many years. He also worked at Kewanee Implement, Kirksville, MO as head loader until his retirement

Willard loved the outdoors feeding squirrels, fishing and hunting. He loved being with family and spending time with his grandchildren.

Willard was a devoted son, Christian husband, father, uncle, and grandpa.

Willard was an active member of the First Church of The Nazarene in Kirksville, Mo as a friendly door greeter welcoming them with a friendly hand shake and a friendly smile. He also served as head usher.

Willard had a nickname 'Pappy' and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be Sunday, May 20th, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. to funeral service time at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverend Bob Price officiating. Interment will be in the Ownbey Cemetery south of Kirksville, MO with full military rights.

Pallbearers are Clint Parks, Rich Morrow, Bryon Hutcheson, Clell Evans, Joe Wyatt, and Terry Abney.
Honorary bearers are John Dreyer, Reid Yardley, Stevan Brown and Jeff Hatfield.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Willard may be made to Macon Hospice Compassus or to the D.A.V. of Kirksville, and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO, 63501.