Mr. Willard Edward Downard

Willard Edward Downard passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at his home in Florence surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, March 26th from 12:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence. Burial will follow at Florence City Cemetery. Willard was born January 24, 1937 to Joe and Wilma Downard in Florence, MS, where he lived his whole life and was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church. He worked as a sheet metal mechanic with Carl’s Sheet Metal for over 40 years. He would build custom portable buildings on the side. He enjoyed woodworking and could fix anything. He was always contemplating, enjoyed riddles, and was always finding a way to help others. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed working in the yard. Along with his parents, Willard was also preceded in death by his siblings, Dr. JT Downard, Grace Peeples, and Wilma Lee Robbins. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bette Downard; his sons, Jeff (Liz) Downard of Florence and Monty (Leisa Boatler) Downard of Florence; daughter, Jill (Donny) Wynn of Canton; sister, Mary Alice Hydrick of Florence; grandchildren, Jason (Amanda R.) Downard, Amanda C. Downard, Alexandria Newell, Blake Newell, and Graham Newell; and great grandchildren, Gage and Avery Downard. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Marvin United Methodist Church.