Willard Caldwell was born the son of William Thomas Caldwell and Ethel Viana (Roy) Caldwell on June 29,1918, in Billmore, Missouri, and departed this life June 9, 2015, at the age of 96 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Taylor and husband, Jerry, and Evelyn Umfleet and husband, Terry, all of Thayer, Missouri; two brothers, Bob Caldwell and wife, Shirley, and J.C. Caldwell and wife, Freda, all of Thayer, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ethel Caldwell; six brothers, Wesley, Waymon, Roy Lee, Paul, Warren, and Darrell Caldwell and one infant sister, Mary Alice Evelyn Caldwell.
Willard worked two years in the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps) in Winona, Missouri. He also worked for the Alunia Company in Los Angeles, California, and for General Motors in St. Louis, Missouri.
After moving to Thayer, Willard purchased a farm on Warm Fork River, where he raised beef cattle and hogs.
He served as a substitute rural mail carrier and part-time clerk in the Thayer Post Office for twenty years.
He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Willard was a Christian, and a Charter member of the Clifton Free Will Baptist Church. He also was a charter member of the Thayer Free Will Baptist Church, where he served in his early years, as Trustee, Church Treasurer, and was on the Building Committee.
He will be missed by his family and friends.
Funeral Services for Mr. Caldwell will be Friday, June 12, 2015, at 2:00 PM at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri, with Brother Richard Robinson and Brock Caldwell officiating.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening, from 6:00 until 7:30 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer.
Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.