Willard C. Smith Obituary

Willard Smith went home to be with the Lord on June 9, 2020, with his loving wife of 64 years by his side.

Willard grew up in Northampton, PA, the youngest child of Victor T. and Clara P. Smith.  He served in the Navy during the Korean War as an Interior Communications (IC) Electrician on the USS Zellers DD 777. When home on leave, he spent his time dancing the Polka and Jitterbug with the love of his life, Eleanor Barto from Breinigsville, PA.  After the war they married and moved to Wisconsin where they made their home in an Airstream motorhome.  Willard graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in 1958 and began his 34 yr. career with Bendix Field Engineering Corp.  as a Field Engineer Training Instructor on military radar equipment.  His job took the family to Maryland, New York, Florida and in 1970 out West to Barstow, CA where he trained personnel on the operation and maintenance of space tracking and communication equipment at Goldstone Deep Space Tracking Station.

After his retirement, Willard and Eleanor volunteered in the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program ("MMAP"), a Christian organization that gave them the opportunity to travel the country in their RV helping with various construction service projects.    In 2007, as Willard would say, they "left the Desert, to go to the Promised Land" (San Diego) to be closer to their CA children and grandchildren.

Willard enjoyed keeping busy; learning music and the bass guitar in his 70's, as well as dancing and going to the gym into his 80's.  He was always up for a friendly game of Haas, ping-pong or bean-bags, and loved when Eleanor played the piano while they sang the old hymns together; his favorite being "I'll Fly Away".

Willard's relationship with his Savior Jesus Christ was the source of his positive attitude and adventurous spirit throughout his life. He continually thanked God for his many blessings, including good health and a loving family. He boldly shared his faith and eagerly looked forward to meeting Jesus in heaven.   Those who knew him take comfort in knowing that he has now entered into the truth of the lyrics he wrote:

Glory be to God on high

When coming home, Lord, let me fly

Into Your arms so open wide;

Receive me home, Lord, on Your Glory side.

Willard is survived by his life-long dance partner Eleanor and their 4 children – Sabrina (Glenn) Napier, Dan (Cindy) Smith and Roxanne (Ron) Wilson of CA and Yvonne (Scott) Cole of KS; 5 grandchildren – Amy (Jon) Fisher,  Sam Cole,  Jessilyn, Demi  and Levi; and his  sister Eleanor (Eugene) Kovalchick of PA.  He was predeceased in death by his brothers Warren, LeRoy and Stanley Smith.

Willard will be laid to rest with military honors at a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Samaritan's Purse (Samaritanspurse.org) PO Box 3000, Boone NC 28607.