Bonnie Willard
Age - 88
December 4, 2023
"Bonnie Jean Willard, 88, beloved mother, wife, and homemaker, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born March 23, 1935, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Wiley and Lavon Pilkenton. She had two sisters, the youngest of which proceeded her in death, along with her parents. She grew up in Pittsburg, where she met and married William Donald Willard. They lived in Burlington, Vermont, Kansas City, Missouri, and finally settled in Columbus, Kansas to raise a family. After Bill's retirement, they moved to Table Rock Lake. She loved lake life -- swimming, boating, water skiing, or just sitting on the deck, taking in the view. She and Bill were married for 56 years. Bill preceded her in death in 2011. A devoted wife and mother, Bonnie ran The Craft Nook in Columbus and continued crafting when she moved to the Ozarks. She and Bill enjoyed square dancing and socializing with their friends in Emerald Beach. They were members of the All Faith United Methodist Church in Eagle Rock, Missouri. A tough and resilient woman, Bonnie survived a heart attack, third degree burns, and three rambunctious sons. Raising a family on an insurance salesman's salary, she could stretch a dollar for days with plenty of love left to go around. She never met a craft fair or Hallmark movie she couldn't pass up. As for chocolate, pity the poor soul that got between she and it. She was exceptional at sewing and was an accomplished artisan. She could make anything from anything. She loved playing bridge and solitaire, catching up on her favorite soap operas, and binging Murder She Wrote on Peacock. In her later years, she relied heavily on the friendship of her Beta Sigma Phi sorority sisters who meant the world to her. She is survived by her sister, Judy Beerman of Bloomington, Indiana, her three sons, William G. Willard and wife Teresa of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Bradley Willard and wife Megan of Riverside, Florida, and Christopher Willard of Golden, Missouri; she has two granddaughters, three grandsons, four great grandchildren, and scores of cousins, nieces and nephews. Bonnie leaves behind endless stories, fond memories, and boxes full of every magazine clipping known to womankind. She will be missed terribly. A Celebration of Life gathering will be announced soon. She and Bill will receive burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery this Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to the Eureka Springs chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Contact Carol Klarr at (479) 981-1191 for more details. "Show more
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