Willard died after being thrown from his horse on April 16, 1986, near Dietrich, Idaho. He was born September 10, 1925, in Wilder, Idaho. Willard graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Agri-business. He was the mayor of Dietrich at the time. In 1952, he began working for the Farm and Home Administration in Shoshone, Idaho, later in Rupert, Twin Falls, Boise, and the Virgin Islands retiring in 1980. He is buried in the Shoshone Cemetery, in Shoshone, Idaho. Willard was in the Navy during WWII 1943-46. He jumped at McCall 1948 and at Idaho City 1949-50.