He was the husband of Mildred Blackwelder, and the son of the late John and Johnsie Blackwelder.
He was a graduate of Harmony High School.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he received two Bronze Stars.
Willard was a self-employed dairy farmer and served on the board for Carolina Farm Credit, Iredell Farm Bureau, Iredell Memorial Hospital, and the Ruritan Club.
He was a member of Rose Chapel United Methodist Church, where he served in many leadership roles.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years; four sons, Dale (Sherry), Wayne (DeeDee), Walter (Jill), and Kent (Cindy); 10 grandchildren, Amy Burquie (P.J.), Lee Blackwelder (Kara), Karen Merchant (Shelby), J.W. Blackwelder (Anna), Beau Blackwelder (Laura), Anna-Lisa Goodman (Tyler), Kendal Gulledge (Matt), Ethan Blackwelder, Mya Blackwelder, and Adam Blackwelder (Adrianne); and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Willard also has three surviving brothers, Edwin, Jim, and Ronald.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Rose Chapel United Methodist Church, in Statesville, N.C., with Rev. Gary Camp officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rose Chapel UMC, 813 Turnersburg Highway, Statesville, N.C. 28625, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com for the Blackwelder family.
