Obituary of William-H. Willard

WILLARD, the Rev'd. Fr. William H., - Peacefully, after a short illness, on June 8, 2007; son of the late Anson James Willard and Laura I. Willard. Survived by Aunt Mary Dousett, special cousin Joanne Proctor, longtime special friend Linda A. Russell, and surrogate sons Eric B. Johnson and Stanley Obaji. Raised in Collingwood and Newmarket, Ontario, a graduate of York University, for many years he worked at York County Hospital, and was Founding President of the Essex County Child Abuse & Neglect Association, Windsor, ON, and later was active in the Frontenac County Child Abuse Committee. After attending seminary at Nashotah House, Wisconsin, Bill was ordained Priest in the Holy Catholic Church (Anglican/Episcopal) in 1979, subsequently serving parishes in Kingston, ON; Norristown, PA; Las Vegas, N.V (Good Shepherd campus); St. Jude's Ranch for Children; Westwood, NJ; and Hollis, NY. He was also an Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Nativity, Fond du Lac, WI. Special thanks to Fr. John Mitchell, the Wardens and parishioners of Grace Episcopal Church, Westwood, New Jersey, for their generosity and kindness; to Fr. Brian Laffler, Fr. H. Gaylord Hitchcock Jr., the Rev'd James Delaney and the chaplains at Pascack Valley Hospital, Francis Castello and Fr. Thomas Norton; and to the medical staff at Pascack Valley Hospital and Hospice at Bergen Community Health Care. Private interment with his parents at All Saint's Cemetery, Collingwood, ON. Memorial Service on Saturday, September 22nd, 1:00 pm at St. Thomas's Church, where Fr. Willard served as Acolyte, 383 Huron St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 2G5, (416) 979-2323. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations gratefully received by United Negro College Fund. (uncf.org) or Operation Eyesight Universal (operationeyesight.ca). 10808011