Date of death: 06/15/2020
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1959
Louis Eugene Willard passed away on June 15, 2020. He was born in Sylvania, Ohio, to Albert and Mary (Konz) Willard on March 2, 1927. Louis would join the U.S. Navy in 1944 and dutifully serve his country until the end of World War II. Louis was a Radio Operator, maintaining contact with and transmitting important messages to allied forces during many of the battles at the Pacific Ocean Theater. He would receive the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal (3 stars), the Philippine Liberation ribbon, the Victory Medal, and the American Area Campaign Medal during his service. After his service, we would work for DCSC and the Federal Government for 40+ years. Louis enjoyed trips to Chicago with his wife, Elizabeth, as well as train-spotting and model trains. He rarely missed a Sunday newspaper crossword puzzle. Louis will be dearly missed by many.
Louis is preceded in passing by his parents; his sister Joyce (Harry) Hardt; his brother Donald (Betty) Henes; and his daughter Cynthia Marie Csoka. He is survived by Elizabeth (Craig) Willard, his beloved wife of 62 years; his sons and daughters-in-law Stephen V. (Kathleen) Willard and Joseph M. (Kathy) Willard; daughter Stephanie VanDyke; his granddaughters Lucy Willard, Gretchen Marie Willard, Melisa Danielle Pezzi, Addy Clark, Jaymee Willard, and Monica Cook; grandsons Joseph Willard, William Eugene Hartman, Christopher Adkins, and Dana Adkins; Great-Granddaughters Tiffany Voorhies and Temperance LeeAnn Adkins; great-grandsons David Cook, Cameron Cook, and Llewyn Peter Adkins; great-great-grandson Michael Imes; and many other cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.