Willard Mcgowan

Willard McGowan was born on October 2, 1921 near Norwood, Missouri and joined his wife, Faye, in his Heavenly home on December 13, 2011. He was 90 years, 2 months, and 11 days of age.
Willard attended schools in the Norwood area including, Absher, Walker, Kelly, and Norwood High School. As a teenager, Willard went to Idaho to work in the CCC Camp and he also picked apples and shucked corn in the fields of Nebraska.
Willard and Faye Barnes were married on June 6, 1942 by Rev. Homer Smith. Their home was blessed with three daughters and one son.
On Feb. 23, 1943, Willard joined the U S Army and served his country during WWII in both the European and Pacific Theatres as a combat engineer. He was honorably discharged on February 13, 1946.
After returning from the service he worked with heavy equipment, building several major roads in the area and was proud to have helped build the Mtn. Grove High School Football Field. Over the years, he worked on his farm north of Mtn. Grove along with other jobs, including many years with Western Auto.
As a child, Willard attended Oak Grove Church, and he later attended Mtn. Valley Free Will Baptist Church. The people of Mtn. Valley were very special to him.
Willard enjoyed life and had many friends. He especially loved children, nature, especially the birds, and the beauty of the earth.
Willard was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Faye McGowan; his parents: Jesse and Nola (Pruett) McGowan; three brothers: Robert, Lee, and Merle McGowan; and three sisters: Pauline Ball Cooper, Eva Gill, and Doris Forrest.

Funeral Service:
Monday, December 19th at

Visitation:
Sunday, December 18th from

Memorial Contributions:
Mtn. Grove Christian