Obituary of James Willyard

Watch the Tribute James Willyard March 24, 1934 - December 27, 2010 Memorial services for James F. Willyard, 76, of Lovington will be held on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Crow officiating. Services are being conducted by Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Willyard was born in Canadian, Texas on March 24, 1934 to Frank and Cleo Gertrude (Derrick) Willyard and passed away on December 27, 2010 at Country Cottage in Hobbs, NM. He married Betty Heidel in Artesia, NM on July 1, 1961. James was raised on a ranch by his grandparents and came to Lovington in 1948. He worked in the oilfield doing varied jobs for many years and retired from Sharp Drilling Company. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and going to the mountains. He was an avid reader and was a Dallas Cowboy fan. When he was able he attended First Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Tommy Willyard Sr. and two granddaughters: Eula Ply and Kimberly McNeil. He is survived by his wife, Betty of the home; three sons: Ernest Willyard of Lovington, Jack Fred and wife Dee Willyard of Orange, CA and James Clyde and wife Janice Willyard of Lovington; two daughters: Betty Jean and husband Rick Ingram of Littlefield, TX and Margaret Denise Garner of Lovington; nine grandchildren and eight grand-children. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com