CASSOPOLIS – James Robert “Bob”Willard, 81, of Lenawee Drive, Cassopolis, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in his home.

He was born May 27, 1928, in Cassopolis to the late Jesse P. and Beulah B. (Seals) Willard, and was a lifetime area resident.

Bob was a retired well driller who worked at B.J. Lewis and Sons Well Drilling, Cassopolis, and last at Peerless Midwest Inc., Granger, Ind.

Bob was a member of the Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis.

He was also a member of the Diamond Lake Golf Club, Cassopolis.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

He married the former Barbara J. Deforest on July 21, 1950, in Cassopolis,
His wife survives, along with: a daughter, Cynthia A. Willard, of New Orleans and Cassopolis; a son, Kenneth R. Willard, of Elkhart, Ind.; three grandchildren, Travis Willard, Derek Willard and MacKenzie Willard; and a great-grandson, Tre Willard.

Bob was preceded in death by five sisters, Mayme Lorene Gogley, Marvene Brown, Vera Closson, Doris Bickel and Carma Poehlman; and two brothers, Richard Willard and Thomas Willard.

A funeral service will be held Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. in the Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis. Officiating will be the Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor and the Rev. Jeff Oliver, pastor. Interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis.

The family receives friends Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis.

Memorials my be made to Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis.

Condolences may be left at connellyfuneralhome@verizon.net.