Albert Willard

Albert Willard, January 7, 1921- August 17, 2020

Albert was the son of Louis and Christine Willard; brother of Joe, John and Marie. He was born in Chicago January 7, 1921 and was a farm boy in Michigan in his early childhood. He honorably served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 in the European and Asian theatres of WW2. After the war he worked in Chicago for G.E., American Airlines and retired after 32 years from AT&T Illinois Bell as an electronic/broadcast engineer and marketing manager. He was married to Joan (Ruzas) for over 66 years and was a faithful caretaker of her during her final years of Alzheimer’s disease until January 2015. He was the role model for, and a loving and faithful father of Richard, and loving father-in-law to Lara; loving grandfather of Jesse (Pedersen), Addy (Lujan), and Rosie (Bennett); Uncle to Paul and Peter Dobill, Karen Shalks, Chuck Shalks; Robert and Joe Willard, Terry Millican (Willard), Jonathan and Vicky Willard, and Christy Glover (Wash). He was the great grandfather of Brady Lujan; Sam, Gordon, Norah, Kristen and Wesley Bennett.

He loved Chicago style cheese pizza, the White Sox, Da Bears, and his and other family dogs. He was the reliable “go to guy” for family and friends.

“Albe” was an honorable and gentle man, one of great dependability, humor, and discipline in his life. He was conservative politically and morally. He demonstrated his love to friends and family in so many obvious and covert ways. Although he was a God-fearing man all his life, in his last weeks he agreed, and understood with mental clarity, that the most important decision he ever made in his earthly life was surrendering by prayer, proclamation and relationship in a Biblical way to his Savior Jesus Christ July 28, 2020. He prayed to his savior with Rich and Lara during times of mental clarity the last weeks when able, until days before his death. He seemed to have a peace from that. Besides his generosity, and family, that surrender to the triune God is his true legacy and example set for all to see.

Albert will be buried next to his wife Joan in Chicago in the near future. Per his wishes, there will be no wake, or graveside ceremonies. A virtual streaming church memorial ceremony may be planned in the future TBD.  

Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010