George C. Willard, Sr., age 71, of West Salem, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at Hospice of North Central Ohio, from complications of diabetes. He was born April 27, 1940 in Lodi, Ohio, son of the late, Carlton & Florence (Black) Willard. He was a life long resident of the Nova area, and graduated from Ruggles-Troy High School in 1958. George was a welder and fabricator, he worked for the former Ohio Body in New London and owned and operated Willard Machine and Welding in Nova for 32 years. He was a member of the Nova United Methodist Church and a Troy Twp. Trustee for 13 years. He was a 35 year member of the Ruggles-Troy Volunteer Fire Dept. and a member and officer of the Nova Lions Club for many years. George was also a member of the Ashland County regional planning committee. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margaret (Brunda) Willard; children, Darlene Irvine of Carrollton, GA, Dan (Karen) Willard of Nova and George C. Willard, Jr. of Willoughby, OH; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and a brother, Ronald (Mary) Willard of Huron. He was preceded in death by an infant brother. Friends may call 4-8 pm Tuesday, Sept. 27th at the Eastman Funeral Home, 200 W. Main St., New London, where services will begin at 8:00 pm Rev. Roger Rambaud will officiate and memorials may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, OH 44805 or the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, 2831 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115.