Bobby Ray Willard Sr.

Oct 30, 1939 - March 18, 2026

Bobby passed away peacefully at Crossroads Retirement Community after battling Dementia. He was a loving father, "Paw Paw" and friend to many.

Bobby was born to Eva and Robert Willard. He also was proceeded in death by siblings, Frank, Glenn, Jerry and Jessie Willard, Betty Jean Nichols, Joanne Moore and his daughter Laura Willard Ray.

He is survived by Brenda Long, companion of 41 years, children Renee Willard Quate, Debra Fitzgerald-Smith (Johnny) and Bobby Willard Jr.

Grandchildren Heather Perdue, Daniel Perdue (Hannah), Kim Quate Brooks (Chris), TJ Quate (Alicia), Tyler Quate (Kahli), Mary Beth Ray, Ryan Ray (Ally), Nick Willard (Kelly), Brittany Willard, Jennifer Smith-Buco (Ny), Kristin Smith VanBuren (Chris), Brianna Smith, and 18 great grandchildren.

For more than 40 years Bobby worked as a Elevator engineer service and installation within the National Elevator Union. During his tenure he served as Union President. He worked for Southern Elevator, A.S.K.

Bobby loved golf, Nascar, and Carolina sports team. He had a unique talent and skill to be able to fix anything and after retiring helped many of his friends and family. He was also skilled at playing the guitar by ear and singing. His children recall many times growing up that he would play while they circled around him to listen and sometimes join in.

He loved living at Belews Lake and helping all his friends at Humphreys Ridge.

The family sends our sincere thank you to the team at Crossroads Retirement Community - memory section with their professional, thoughtful and caring approach with our dad. . We also send out our thanks to the Hospice "Amedisys" team for their kind care of our dad.

Funeral will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 4, 2026, Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407 with visitation one hour prior to service. Committal will be in Guilford Memorial Park.

Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is honored to serve the Willard family.