Willard was born in Prattville, Alabama on December 4, 1932; he was the third of nine children to Maggie Pearl and Huie Jackson Green. Willard grew up on a farm and sawmill with his siblings: Eugene Green, Thelma Walker, Lurton Green, Clarence Green, Bennie Green, Idoline Fisher, Orlane Haxton, and Sharon Robinette. The farm fostered his love of the outdoors, his strong-will and hard-working spirit. He loved country western music, the color blue, camping, fishing, and creating some of the coolest things while tinkering with all kinds of different items. Learning to drive at the age of 12, Willard also enjoyed dirt bikes and motorcycling.
At the age of 17, Willard moved to Colorado and began working at Beatrice Foods as a dockworker in cold food storage. Through his strong will, hard work, and passion for his job, Willard continued working for Beatrice foods for 37 years, ultimately becoming a superintendent.
During his teenage years, Willard met the love of his life, Nadine Roberts, and they were married on October 11, 1952 when Willard was just 19 years old and Nadine just 16 years old. After almost 15 years of marriage, in 1966, Willard and Nadine moved to a house on Clarkson in Wash Park, where they would remain together for almost 50 years. Together, they had three daughters: Barbara, married to Gordon Davitt; Donna, married to Rob Wolin; and Brenda, who married Michael Kluherz. Willard and Nadine had six grandchildren: Sarah Townsend, married to Tim Burris; Meaghan Townsend, married to Dan Caldwell; Spence Wolin, married to Emily Wolin; Mitchell Wolin, married to Laurel Wolin; Elizabeth Kluherz; and Abigail Kluherz. They also had two great-grandchildren: Viktor Townsend and Lilith Farmer. Willard was very passionate about his family and was always sure they had a family vacation planned. He was described as quiet and not overly social but having a great sense of humor, which was regularly shared with his family. Willard and Nadine were married for 61 wonderful years before Nadine passed away in January of 2014.
Services for Willard will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, Colorado 80121. A Visitation for Willard will be held in the Main Chapel beginning at one o’clock in the afternoon followed by his Funeral Service. The Graveside Service will be held at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery at three o’clock in the afternoon with a Reception in the Summit Room to follow.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Green family may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com.
