Michael George Willard

Michael George Willard, 69, (December 20, 1951—December 1, 2021), a wondrously made soul, has completed his earthly human experience and is now on to his next big adventure. Somewhere in the great beyond, a poker game just took a fascinating turn as he sat down at the table.

Earthside, he was born midwinter of 1951 to Jack Greer and Wanda Joyce (Sise) Willard. He lived in South Knoxville most of his life with a brief stint in Germany with the Army during the Vietnam War Era. Among his many adventures in life, he was a son, brother, grandson, cousin, friend, uncle, husband, dad, lover of fur-babies, gamer, artist, motorcyclist, music lover, caretaker, baker, a wicked poker player, and last but by no means least an unfaltering ALS hero. No longer earth-tethered, he rejoins the ones who had gone before who were waiting in the clearing for him – daughter Sara Jane, parents: Jack and Wanda, stepfather Bob, and beloved grandmother Lillian Greer Willard. Among those left earthside for whom his memory is a blessing: devoted wife Judith Jones Willard, beloved son Jack Lee Willard, siblings Richard Greer Willard (Pamela), and Jacki S Willard (David Olive), honorary brother & devoted, steadfast friend Dale Grubbs, honorary sister Marilyn Childress, nephews Richard G Willard II (Vanessa), N Ryan Willard, James R W Olive. And three great-niblings, Raegan Greer Willard, Addison Blayke Willard & Roman Augustian Willard, and dear fur-baby Olive, as well as a passel of cousins, DGB poker buddies & a host of friends.

He was diagnosed with ALS in Oct 2018. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made in his memory to The ALS Association http://webtn.alsa.org/goto/MGW . Arrangements for his Celebration of Life service are pending. Private interment Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 10:00 am at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Gov. John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920. Berry Funeral Home is in charge.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Willard family.