James Robert Willard

Chester Mr. James “Robert” Willard, 74, died Saturday, October 17, 2015, at Chester Regional Medical Center.Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, October 19, 2015, at Orrs Baptist Church with Rev. Randall Runion and Rev. R.B. Ashley officiating.Interment will follow in Chester Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, October 18,at Barron Funeral Home, 133 Wylie St., Chester, SC. Mr. Willard was born January 15, 1941 in Chester, SC and was a son of the late Boyce Willard and Lillie Mae Comer Willard.He retired from Springs Industries after more than 40 years of service.Mr. Willard was an avid fisherman and was known as “The Sheriff” of Springmaid Campground.He was a member of Orrs Baptist Church He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Belue Willard; one daughter, Jamie Allen (Tom) of Rock Hill; one son, James Robert Willard, Jr. of Fort Lawn; four step children, Terri Morrison (Robert) of Richburg, Joey Townsend (Lynn) of Chester, Sherry Whitaker (Brad) of Charlotte, and Blue Houser (Tiffanie) of Edgemoor; two granddaughters, Caroline Allen and Catherine Allen of New York, NY; numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren; two brothers, Billy Willard (Ann) and Larry Willard (Dorothy) both of Chester; two sisters, Frances Foster (Don) of Chester and Margaret Barber (Bobby) of Morehead City, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.Mr. Willard was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Bishop. Memorials may be made to Orrs Baptist Church, 1266 Lancaster Rd., Chester, SC 29706. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.