Obituary for Nancy Ann Willard (Odle)
Nancy Ann (Odle) Willard passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 28, 2023, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Nancy was born on September 28, 1934 in Phoenix, Arizona to parents, Jack and Viola (Small) Odle. Moving to California at an early age, Nancy resided in the Hermosa Beach area, later relocating to Vista at 13 years old. She graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in education. Throughout her adulthood, Nancy taught a variety of subjects, courses, and grades from K-12 in various locations throughout Southern California. Mrs. Willard was a beloved and highly respected educator, receiving awards for excellence in teaching, over the course of nearly 50 years before her retirement at around 70 years old.
A devoted Christian, Nancy was a source of inspiration, joy, and constancy for a large extended family. Her love for Jesus, family, teaching, storytelling, a wide network of friends, and service in churches were the primary sources of happiness in Nancy’s life. A long time friend recently stated, “She always lived with eternity in her heart.” She will be missed greatly by those blessed to know her love.
Nancy is preceded in death by her former spouse, William Raymond Willard; her parents, Jack and Viola; and 3 brothers, (infant) Jack, James Benson Odle, and William Russell Odle.
She is survived by her loving children, Deborah (Steven) McDade, Daniel (Ruth) (dcd. Jacki Fox Willard) Willard; grandchildren, Douglas (Jodie Boyer Hatlem) Johnson Hatlem, Jeffrey (Cynthia Kerepeszki) Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Danielle (Christoper) Willard-Kyle, Breanna (Steven) Herd; great-grandchildren, Johanna, Simeon, Ædan, Samuel, Jack, Israel, West, Rowan, Everett, Blakley, and Jack.
The family would prefer that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to a charity of your choice that helps children in some way. Daniel Willard has a scholarship fund started for Jacki Fox Willard. He can be contacted, via Shoreline Baptist Church in Fountain Valley, if you would like to add a contribution in Mrs. Willard's name.
Nancy was born on September 28, 1934 in Phoenix, Arizona to parents, Jack and Viola (Small) Odle. Moving to California at an early age, Nancy resided in the Hermosa Beach area, later relocating to Vista at 13 years old. She graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in education. Throughout her adulthood, Nancy taught a variety of subjects, courses, and grades from K-12 in various locations throughout Southern California. Mrs. Willard was a beloved and highly respected educator, receiving awards for excellence in teaching, over the course of nearly 50 years before her retirement at around 70 years old.
A devoted Christian, Nancy was a source of inspiration, joy, and constancy for a large extended family. Her love for Jesus, family, teaching, storytelling, a wide network of friends, and service in churches were the primary sources of happiness in Nancy’s life. A long time friend recently stated, “She always lived with eternity in her heart.” She will be missed greatly by those blessed to know her love.
Nancy is preceded in death by her former spouse, William Raymond Willard; her parents, Jack and Viola; and 3 brothers, (infant) Jack, James Benson Odle, and William Russell Odle.
She is survived by her loving children, Deborah (Steven) McDade, Daniel (Ruth) (dcd. Jacki Fox Willard) Willard; grandchildren, Douglas (Jodie Boyer Hatlem) Johnson Hatlem, Jeffrey (Cynthia Kerepeszki) Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Danielle (Christoper) Willard-Kyle, Breanna (Steven) Herd; great-grandchildren, Johanna, Simeon, Ædan, Samuel, Jack, Israel, West, Rowan, Everett, Blakley, and Jack.
The family would prefer that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to a charity of your choice that helps children in some way. Daniel Willard has a scholarship fund started for Jacki Fox Willard. He can be contacted, via Shoreline Baptist Church in Fountain Valley, if you would like to add a contribution in Mrs. Willard's name.