He spent his life serving God for 35 years in full time ministry. He pastored churches in Louisiana and Tennessee. Reverend Willard served as pastor for Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Chattanooga for almost 26 years.
He was a devoted husband, father, granddaddy, and great granddaddy.
He was loving, kind and compassionate to all. Only eternity will reveal the scores of souls who were pointed to Christ through his influence and faithfulness.
He loved the ministry and often talked with tears streaming down his face of the many wonderful people he had the privilege of pastoring.
To quote him “the proudest privilege of his life was to be called a Christian”.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wiley and Vera Johnson; 3 sisters, Pauline Raper, Frances (Jeff) Maynard, and Ruth (Bud) Foster.
Willard leaves behind his devoted wife, Beulah of 63 years; children, David (Teresa Flaherty) Johnson, Teresa (Greg) Anderson, and Joe Johnson; 5 grandchildren, Tiffany (Kris Tellado) Anderson, Christopher Anderson, Matthew (Becca) Johnson, Bradley Johnson and Meghann (Barrett) Case; 3 great grandchildren, Logan Anderson, Coraline and Amalie Johnson
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, November 30, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home and 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, at Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 4400 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.
A Celebration of Life service for Willard will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, at Calvary Church of the Nazarene with Reverend Charles Knight officiating. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
