Obituary of Betty Jo Willyard

Betty Jo Willyard December 14, 1934 - March 14, 2016 A celebration of life gathering for Betty Jo Willyard, 81, of Lovington, NM will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 10:00 – 11:30 am at First Christian Church for Betty’s family and friends. A private memorial service will be held in Alpine, TX at a later date. Betty was born on December 14, 1934 in Lovington, NM to Haywood Richard and Beula lee (Pyburn) Heidel and passed away on March 14, 2016 at her home. She was born in the Pyburn House that her family had built. She attended Lovington schools until her Jr. & Sr. high school years and those she attended at Alpine, TX graduating from there. She also attended the Jr. College in Hobbs. At one time she was employed by the cleaners in Lovington but most of her life was spent being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and was well known for her doughnuts and she shared those good foods with her friends, family and church. Betty was a very involved member of First Christian Church and served as the secretary for awhile. She was a quiet woman with many talents and didn’t care to be so much in the limelight, but her light did shine with goodness, kindness, unselfishness, generosity, loving care and grace. She will be missed. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, James F. “Jimmy” Willyard; one sister: June Daugherty and one granddaughter: Eula Ply. Surviving her are three sons: Ernest Willyard of Lovington, NM; James Clyde and wife, Janice Willyard of Lovington and Jack Fred and wife Dee Willyard of Orange, California ; two daughters: Betty Jean and husband Rick Ingram of Littlefield, TX and Denise Garner of Littlefield, TX; one brother: John and wife Pauline Heidel of Lamesa, TX ; three sisters: Juda McCollum of Rockport, TX, Lou Moore of Bastrop, TX and Jan Heidel. Nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of friends.