Willard Eugene Grant was born on February 1st, 1935 and peacefully passed at 9:00 am on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Ravenwood Assisted Living in Springfield MO following a long illness.

Gene was the only son of Willard and Alice (Hayden) Grant. Dad was born and raised in the Halfway Missouri area and graduated Halfway High School in 1953. This is where he met Barbara Payne who he married on March 19, 1955.

Following graduation Dad moved to Springfield and attended Draughns Business College. Following his Graduation he worked at the Springfield Stockyards and Great Southern Savings and Loan. He left his job in 1958 and served two years in the United States Army at Fort Knox, KY. Dad returned from the Service and worked at Terrell Phelps Chevrolet in Springfield and then at Nixa Bank in Nixa, Missouri. Dad retired from Nixa Bank in 1991. After retiring he and Mom spent their time working “fun” jobs and taking day trips. Dad really enjoyed driving and delivering cars, he had a lot of fun with the guys.

Dad grew up in the Schofield Community and attended Schofield Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with his parents where he was Born Again on November 16, 1951 during a Revival Meeting. He joined the Church and was baptized into the fellowship of the Church at the end of the Revival. Dad remained a member there until 1956 when both he and Mom requested their Letters to be Charter Members of True Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield, MO where he was ordained a Deacon and remained both a faithful member and Deacon until his death. Even though his health did not allow him to attend regularly the last year he had a Deacon’s love for the Church, it’s Members, and Pastors.

Mom and Dad had two children, Jerry and Judy. We had both a good Dad and Mom and grew up in a loving, safe, and happy home. Dad was always there to direct, guide and “keep us in line”. Dad loved his children and Grandchildren. He told Hot Shot stories, that he made up, when they were young and sent Good Night texts on his I-pad in the later years. To Dad his Great Grandchildren were just that…Great.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Alice, and Grandson Nathan Greer Grant. He is survived by wife, Barbara, of 62 years. son, Jerry and wife Robin of Springfield MO, daughter Judy and husband Breht Burri of Parkville, MO, Grandson Jason Grant and wife Lisa of Columbia, MO, Grandson Payne Grant and wife Mindy of Springfield, MO, and Granddaughter Griffin Burri of Columbia, MO. Four Great Grandchildren Jack, Alice, Lincoln, and Georgia Grant. Dad will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. We will all miss his never ending sense of humor and his presence at True Hope.

Services will be Saturday, January 20 @ 2:30 PM at Pitts Chapel, Bolivar. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.
Online condolences may be left at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel, Bolivar, Mo