Willard Lewis Cumberland

Willard Lewis Cumberland passed away the morning of Sunday, April 3, 2022, accompanied by his wife Bob Ann Cumberland (married 1999), following a decline of his health over the past year. Willard was 2 months shy of his 90th Birthday.

He was previously married to Dorothy Ann (Dotty) until her death in 1994 after a multi-year battle with cancer. Willard and Dotty had five sons -- Shawn, Brian, Scott (deceased 2013), Wayne and Lance. Their children provided 10 grandchildren – Samantha; Allie, Nicky (deceased 2018) & Bobby; Bella and Kevin; Weezie & Max; and Mia and Lola and two great grandchildren -- Charlotte and Iver . Bob Ann has a son, Chad Crocker, and Chad’s son, Cash Crocker.

Willard was born and raised on a farm near Philadelphia, Mississippi. After attending the University of Mississippi for a few years, he hitchhiked to San Antonio, Texas, and started a long and very successful career as a belt salesman, traveling across the state of Texas. Perennially for most of his employment at a national belt brand, he was the top salesperson of the year.

While he never forgot his roots in Mississippi, Willard stanchly viewed himself as a true Texan.

Willard loved the great outdoors and was a true sportsman, especially enjoying hunting and fishing with his sons or close friends. He had a marksman’s eye and a steady hand and reputedly shot two turkeys at once with just one rifle bullet (intentionally).

Likely wrought from his father Wheeler and mother Susan “Frances” and growing up on a farm, Willard was a firm believer in the value of honest hard work and fair dealings – ethics he sought to instill in his children.

While a devout Christian, he was also disciple of the school of the power of a positive attitude. Correspondingly, he was also stoic and never complained to others, even when suffering great pain.

He was a committed loving father, and his non-work time was dedicated exclusively to his family, including scouting, coaching, cross country road trips, camping, water and snow skiing, hunting and fishing and more. His parenting philosophy was to keep his children and their friends close at home, so he ensured that the Cumberland house and yard was filled with all the trappings to keep his boys’ attention and energy.

Willard was humble and kind, establishing a huge base of friends throughout his life.

The family wishes to thank the staffs at Brookdale Hollywood Park and Brookdale Hospice who helped care for him for much of the past year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to either the Alzheimer Association or Trinity Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday April 7, 2022 at 4:30 at Trinity Baptist Church (319 E Mulberry Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78212).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Cumberland family.