D.B. Willard

ELDER D.B. WILLARD Elder Willard was ordained to ministry in 1947. At the time of his death on June 7, 1978 he was serving Park View, Mills Chapel and Watson churches. He had served Park View, his home church, for 27 years. In previous years he had also served Bethel church. We will long remember this faithful servant of God. The following is from the Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers by David Montgomery and Mark Green: FROM ELDER W. T. DAILY: Elder Brooklyn Willard of Winston Salem, North Carolina died in early June after a lengthy struggle with cancer. He was a widely known and dearly loved servant of God and his loss will be sorely felt by the Baptists of his area. His life was devoted to the people of God in general and to the cause of Christ in particular and he was faithful to the end. He leaves his dear companion, Sister Mae, and their children, to mourn his passing. Though we considered him a dear friend and hated to give him up. We could not attend the funeral but we are told that everything was carried out beautifully. Brother Hobert Medlyn lead the congregation in singing, which we understand was exceptionally beautiful. Just as Elder Mills was finishing, the last part of the service it began raining very hard, so the undertaker asked everyone to keep singing until it stopped raining. After four songs were sung, the sun came out and the remaining serviceswere performed. There were fifteen ministers in attendance at his funeral. The housewas full and a speaker was placed in the dining room for those who could not get inside.