Willard H. Godwin

Willard Henry Godwin, Bill, passed away Tuesday November 27, 2018. He was an Army Veteran stationed at the Panama Canal Zone. He spent his retirement fishing nearly every waking hour from his highly customized “water wagon”. He stalked crappie and bass on Ray Roberts Lake near Pilot Point, Texas with several 10 pound class bass documented in his album of fishing successes.

His gracious and caring nature was most obvious in the mountains of Colorado. Some years he would spend five months of the year in Lake City, Colorado nurturing sons, daughters, and grandchildren. He was always quick to share his incredible expertise, amazing wit, and love to friends and family. He was Chairman of the Colorado Trout Fishing Association. He was broadly acclaimed as “hushpuppy king” of multiple states. He will be missed at the yearly CTFA fish fry.

Bill was blessed to have had two precious loves of his life, Ouida for 31 years and Betty Jo for 32 years. He worked, played and loved with grace and passion all his life. He cast a quiet and unassuming huge impact on everyone who met him, and he will be missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 31 years Ouida Godwin and son Carroll Godwin, brother Quintis Godwin and sister Thressa Patterson.

He is survived by his wife of 32 Years, Betty Jo Godwin of Spearman, daughter Debbie Goodheart (Damon) of Spearman, son Hank Godwin (Liza) of North Little Rock, AR, grandchildren Blair Wright (Tonya) and Brandon Wright, Jason Godwin and John Godwin (Anne), Aaron Godwin (Jana), James Godwin (Courtney), Trent Goodheart (Ashley), Keilee Goodheart and several loving great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Drew Godwin, Jay Godwin (Tria) and sisters Vircie Dysart and Reacie Simpson (Jerry).