Benjamin Franklin Willard Sr., 98, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2023, at the Maine Veterans Home, Bangor. He was born December 7, 1924, in Union, SC, the son of Benjamin C. and Pearle (Miller) Willard.
Ben was raised by his uncle on a farm during the Great Depression. When he was 15, he was able to enlist early in the U. S. Navy with permission from his mother during World War II. He was stationed on several ships and saw much action in the Pacific Theater in locations such as Iwo Jima, Japan, and other places. After serving as an enlisted person in the Sea Bees he found a niche as a cook on one of ships. He also served during Korea and Vietnam. Ben then went on to serve in the Navy Reserves for another 8 years until his retirement. With his cooking background he worked at various clubs in South Carolina such as the Moose Club and at Anderson Hospital. He later worked with the Hubert Humphrey presidential campaign as a cook. In 1970, he moved to Maine and worked as a cook at the NCO Club and the Gateway Restaurant. Ben then also had a long stint working at the Guildford Industries and as a night watchman for Dexter Shoe in Newport. He enjoyed motorcycles and had a soft spot for Indian Motorcycles. Ben liked working with his hands and enjoyed keeping the outside of his home neat and clean and had a wonderful garden. He was the Chaplain for the Athens American Legion and enjoyed social events and meeting other veterans. Ben enjoyed vehicles and especially loved Motor Trend and Consumers Reports Magazines. He loved the Lord, attended church regularly and read the bible and Daily’s Bread daily. He always spoke of the commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. Ben spent 65 years having the most storybook love with “Dottie”. There was never one without the other and was his pride and joy. He enjoyed his time with his family and never missed an event. Ben had the best smile with a slight smirk. Naturally people gravitated to his charm and charisma; a fantastic story teller. He will be missed immensely.
In addition to a brother, Cornelius, and a sister, Ruby, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothea “Dottie” Willard on March 22, 2023. He is survived by his two sons, Benjamin “Ben” Willard Jr. and wife Karen of Corinth, William “Neal” Willard and wife Jennifer of Glenburn; grandchildren, Kristen L Willard, Alex Hamm, Taylor Hamm, Mackenzie Osborne and husband Noah, Chandler Willard; great-grandson, Eli Lizotte.
Private interment will be at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Benjamin Willard, please visit our flower store.
Ben was raised by his uncle on a farm during the Great Depression. When he was 15, he was able to enlist early in the U. S. Navy with permission from his mother during World War II. He was stationed on several ships and saw much action in the Pacific Theater in locations such as Iwo Jima, Japan, and other places. After serving as an enlisted person in the Sea Bees he found a niche as a cook on one of ships. He also served during Korea and Vietnam. Ben then went on to serve in the Navy Reserves for another 8 years until his retirement. With his cooking background he worked at various clubs in South Carolina such as the Moose Club and at Anderson Hospital. He later worked with the Hubert Humphrey presidential campaign as a cook. In 1970, he moved to Maine and worked as a cook at the NCO Club and the Gateway Restaurant. Ben then also had a long stint working at the Guildford Industries and as a night watchman for Dexter Shoe in Newport. He enjoyed motorcycles and had a soft spot for Indian Motorcycles. Ben liked working with his hands and enjoyed keeping the outside of his home neat and clean and had a wonderful garden. He was the Chaplain for the Athens American Legion and enjoyed social events and meeting other veterans. Ben enjoyed vehicles and especially loved Motor Trend and Consumers Reports Magazines. He loved the Lord, attended church regularly and read the bible and Daily’s Bread daily. He always spoke of the commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. Ben spent 65 years having the most storybook love with “Dottie”. There was never one without the other and was his pride and joy. He enjoyed his time with his family and never missed an event. Ben had the best smile with a slight smirk. Naturally people gravitated to his charm and charisma; a fantastic story teller. He will be missed immensely.
In addition to a brother, Cornelius, and a sister, Ruby, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothea “Dottie” Willard on March 22, 2023. He is survived by his two sons, Benjamin “Ben” Willard Jr. and wife Karen of Corinth, William “Neal” Willard and wife Jennifer of Glenburn; grandchildren, Kristen L Willard, Alex Hamm, Taylor Hamm, Mackenzie Osborne and husband Noah, Chandler Willard; great-grandson, Eli Lizotte.
Private interment will be at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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