Willard Clyde Michael

Sept. 13,1936 - Nov. 28,2024.

Born September 13, 1936 in Bakersfield, CA, Willard Clyde Michael was the second and last child of George & Barbara Heath.

As a child, he enjoyed playing around irrigation canals, picking cotton, riding a friend’s horse, and harvesting pecans and other things in the family garden.

During his childhood he attended a Christian camp and accepted Jesus as his Savior.

When Willard was about 15, the family relocated to Tacoma, WA where he graduated from Lincoln High School.

After high school, Willard did a variety of jobs and spent 2 years in the Navy.

Willard married Pat and had 3 kids. They divorced, and Willard began a career at Boeing where he met & married Diane, and added 2 more children. Willard spent 38 years at Boeing, retiring as a second level manager in military electronics.

Willard and Diane raised their family in Bellevue, WA, and were very active in the Overlake Christian Church. Willard loved the Lord, and that was evident in his life.

Willard loved to hike, ski, hunt , fish, go boating and biking with his family and friends. He participated in the Seattle to Portland bike ride, as well. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, and building and remodeling homes.

Willard and Diane enjoyed living in England for 1 1/2 years and touring Europe. Willard’s favorite place to vacation was HI or a ski slope, but the two enjoyed other trips around USA as well.

Around 1995, Willard & Diane moved to Whidbey Island and were very involved in Hillside Evangelical Free Church. In, 2004, they joined the SOWER organization and volunteered at Christian camps, churches and schools where Willard was able to use his handyman and building skills.

In 2010, Diane passed away, leaving Willard devastated.

In 2012, he met Grace and the 2 were married in February of 2013. Together they enjoyed 34 SOWER projects and several trips to HI before he succumbed to dementia. His last 2 years with us had their challenges, but he courageously lived to the best of his ability until God called him home on Thanksgiving Day.

Willard is survived by his wife, Grace Michael, his older sister, Arvilla; his five kids; Mark Michael ( Vicki), Wendy Michael, Michelle Braun, David Michael ( Anika), Jodie Isomura ( Jason), grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Family and friends are comforted knowing that Willard’s suffering is over and he’s in Jesus’ loving arms and we’ll see him again.

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held at Lakeside Bible Camp (4170 Bible Camp Rd) on December 19,2024 at 1 pm.