David Willard

David Dalby Willard, 75, of Danville, IL, passed away at 1:04 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at the Veterans Administration Illiana Health Care System in Danville, Illinois. David was born April 17, 1933, in Chigwell, Essex, England, son of Denis and Mavis (Hobday) Dalby. In August 1940, he was evacuated from England to the United States during the Battle of the Blitz over London. He made his home with Don and Mary Willard in Danville, IL. until joining the U. S. Air Force in 1952. During his Air Force duty he became a U.S. citizen and took the name Willard as his surname. On June 13, 1956, her married Virginia Carter in Durant, Oklahoma; she preceded him in death on November 25, 1989. They are survived by three daughters: Virginia Ginger (Randy) Clark of Geneva FL; Susan White (Charlie) Howe of Fredericksburg VA; and Mary Dae (Phillip) Haas of Danville IL. Five grandchildren: Staci (John) Cable of Orlando FL, Cody Clark of Geneva FL, Jacob Slevin of England, and Davida and Wynter Haas of Danville IL. One great-grandson: Gavin Cable of Orlando FL. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua David White On February 8, 1991, he married Martha Hannan Walton in Danville IL; she preceded him in death on May 12, 2005. They are survived by a step-son: Tony (Donna) Walton of Bernice LA. Three grandchildren: Brian, Cierra and Benjamin Walton of Bernice LA, and one great-grandchild. He was also preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, a sister, and a son-in-law. David graduated from Danville High School and the University of Illinois. For many years David was General Manager and Vice-President of Allith-Prouty Corporation in Danville before he and a partner started their own company, Dyna-Fab Corporation in West Lebanon, IN. He retired in 1997. David was a 32nd degree Mason and active in the Scottish Rite, a member and Past Monarch of the GAO Grotto, member of the Ansar Shrine, Danville Country Club, Anchor Lodge 980, American Legion Post 210, and a life member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, and belonged to The Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal Church. David loved to travel, and made many trips back to his homeland to visit family overseas in England and Jersey, Channel Islands. His children, and later his grandchildren, never tired of hearing the story of his solo journey, across the ocean on the Duchess of York steamer, to America as a seven year old child evacuee-that experience forever impacted him with a life-long interest in WWII history. David had a passion for water sports and boating. He was a former captain of the Danville High School swim team, and later toured with the US Air Force swim team. He had a leisurely pursuit of old wooden boats and antique cars, owning several in his life-time. For years he assisted Santa Claus in his pre-Christmas visits to the children; and exemplified that generous spirit year-round to all he encountered. David loved spending time with family and friends, leaving a legacy of precious memorieshe will be deeply missed by all who loved him. A celebration of Davids life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 21, 2009, at The Church of the Holy Trinity, 308 N. Vermilion St. in Danville, IL, with Father Geoffrey Scanlon officiating. Burial will be in Springhill Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 210. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, February 20, 2009, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Masonic Rites at 7:30 P.M. by Anchor Lodge 980. The family is requesting that memorials may be made in Davids name to Church of the Holy Trinity or GAO Grotto Humanitarian Crutch Fund in lieu of flowers. Email condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com