KENNETH HAGER WILLARD

LEICESTER — Kenneth Hager Willard, age 76, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Ken was born in Rutland, Vt., on Jan. 24, 1948. He was the son of Clifford and Roberta (Thayer) Willard. He grew up in Wallingford, where he received his early education and graduated from Wallingford High School, class of 1966. He began his working career as a farmer and later established his own trucking company, Willard Trucking. He has driven trucks for over 45 years. He was formerly employed by Cummings & Sons for several years and most recently still worked for Casella’s. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, animals and was considered a home-grown farmer.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce (Johnson) Willard of Leicester; children Rebecca (Tom) Cleland of Pittsburg, Pa., Craig (Penny) Willard of Manchester, N.H., Philip Baldwin Jr., Brandon, and Brandy (Todd) Baldwin-Stanley of Pittsford, Vt.; grandchildren Brian Little Jr., Chalyn Baldwin-Costa, Corey Willard, Brooke Willard, Dillin Baldwin-Costa, Julie Jackson, Sierra (Jake) Mitchelle, Jordon Jackson and Sophie Baldwin; great-grandchildren Greyson Little, Brayden Mitchelle, Everett Mitchelle, Albert Willard and James Jackson; sisters Frankie (Frank) Burnham of Ira, Vt., and Linda Davidson of Danby, Vt.; and brother Paul (Virginia) Willard of Pensacola, Fla. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive him. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Louise Stratton and Patricia Morton.

A gathering in celebration of his life will be held at a later date at a time and location to be announced.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made, in his memory to the Addison County Humane Society, 235 Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.◊