Larry A. Willard, 77, Waubay, died Jan. 3, 2026 at Strand Kjorsvig Living Center, Roslyn.
Funeral services were Jan. 8 at Ortley Free Lutheran Church, Ortley. Interment was at Lakewood Cemetery near Waubay.
Larry Allen Willard was born May 21, 1948 to Lawrence and Shirley (Lorenson) Willard at Webster. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Waubay. He attended country grade school district 206 and graduated from Waubay High School in 1966. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966. He was assigned to a military police security unit and deployed to Vietnam in 1968 where he guarded B52 bombers. After returning, he guarded Air Force One for Pres. Richard Nixon. He was discharged in 1970. He worked at a federal courthouse in Seattle, WA until 1973. He returned to Waubay and hauled gravel. In 1976, he moved to Fargo, ND. In 1977 he graduated from East Grand Forks Area Vocational Technical Institute with a degree in occupational proficiency in truck driving. He purchased a truck and was an over the road trucker for 25 years. He made Waubay his home until the present.
After his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a member of the NRA, American Legion and Ortley Free Lutheran Church. He enjoyed watching sports on TV and reading, especially history.
Survivors include his brother David Willard, Elbow Lake, MN; sister, Sandy Hinze, Waubay; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister- in-law, Judy Willard; brother-in-law, Eddie Hinze; a nephew, a niece and a great-great nephew.