Highland Cemetery

Durant, Bryan County, Oklahoma

© Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Service
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Thank You For Your Service!

Willard Earl Thompson

August 22, 1934 ~ August 2, 2023

Willard Earl Townsend of Wichita Falls, Texas passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 88 years of age.

Willard was born August 22nd, 1934 to Henry F. Townsend and Lela Edna Payne in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was raised in Armstrong, Oklahoma. He is a 1952 graduate of Durant High. Willard attended Southeastern in Durant before attending Midwestern State obtaining his Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Willard met the love of his life, Betty Clogene Northcutt in 1952. They were married on April 30th, 1955, and were married until her death on March 8th, 2019. Together they had three daughters, Connie Jean Townsend, Victoria Arnell Townsend St. John, and Tonie Kathleen Townsend Slaton, five grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

Willard was preceded in death by his wife Clogene, daughter Connie, parents Henry and Lela Edna, brother Bobby Joe Townsend, sister Willie Mae Tatum, Aunt Delia Mae Bledsoe, and Cousin Bobbie Fern Billings.

He is survived by his daughters Victoria Arnell St. John and Tonie Kathleen Slaton, five grandchildren, Kristopher B. Paschal, Jennings B. Paschal III, Raylea A St. John-Wooley and husband Daniel J. Wooley, Clay T. Slaton and wife Leanne Oster Slaton, Taylor T. King, and twelve great-grandchildren, Abigail G. Paschal, Joshua B. Perrier Wooley, J. Grant Wooley, Samuel B. Paschal, Jacob B. Paschal, William C. Slaton, Nicholas A. Wooley, Andrew T. Slaton, Faith N. Slaton, Sarah N. Paschal, Ella G. Wooley, and Elliott B. Paschal.

Willard joined the National Guard 45th Division/Thunderbirds, 180th Battalion Infantry, Durant, Oklahoma in 1953 and retired as a Major. He joined Lone Star Gas Company in 1959, retiring in 1994 as the Regional Director of Northwest Texas, with over 35 years of service. He was President of the Chamber of Commerce Lamar County, Paris, Texas, received a Key to the City, and was named Honorary Parisienne for Life.

He was not only a dedicated family man, but he was also civically involved within the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Kiwanis, and Rotary. He served as President of the Paris Rotary Club and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. In scouting, he served as Council President for the NetSeo Trails Council in Paris.

He loved and enjoyed his family, military involvement, and civic duty. He was an avid fisherman and loved his fishing trips with his brother, nephews, and grandsons. He was always happy just to load up and go with all of his family and extended family. We will all miss him so.

Pallbearers, Great-Grandsons, Joshua B Perrier Wooley, J Grant Wooley, William C Slaton, Nicholas A Wooley, Andrew T Slaton, and Elliott B Paschal.

Family visitation hour will be at 1:00p.m., Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home. Funeral Services will immediately follow at 2:00p.m. with Brother Anthony Williams officiating, at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home Chapel, 121 North 5th Street, Durant, Oklahoma, 74701. Burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery, Durant Oklahoma

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 North 5th Street, Durant, Oklahoma, 74701.