Howard Arnold Willard Jr.

Howard Arnold Willard, Jr. “Buz”, 84, of Old Wethersfield, beloved husband for 52 years of the late Margaret (Leahy) Willard “Peggy” passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Hartford Hospital. Born on March 21, 1937 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Howard Arnold Willard and Virginia (Miller) Willard.

A loving father and grandfather, Howard will be forever missed by his three children, Heather Willard and her husband Will Skarupa of Wethersfield, Howard A. Willard, III and his wife Laura of Richmond, VA, and Virginia Willard Falkner and her husband Gregory of Chicago, IL and his five adored grandchildren, Howard A. Willard, IV (Grant), Rachel Bugella, Charles Willard, Katerina Falkner, and Daniel Falkner. He is also survived by his sister, Martha W. de Richemont of London, England; his sister-in-law, Barbara Willard; his sister-in-law Kathryn Whitty of Jupiter, FL and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his wife and parents, Howard was predeceased by his brothers, John B. Willard and wife Catherine, Palmer S. Willard and wife Jean, and William L. Willard and his sisters, Virginia W. Baer and husband Don, and Parmelia W. de Winter. Buz grew up in Wethersfield and West Hartford, graduating in the class of 1955 from William H. Hall High School. He attended Mitchell College and the University of Connecticut, where he met the love of his life, his wife Peggy, in Physics class. Together they ran a successful business restoring historic structures, Willard Restorations, Inc., for 25 years. Studying the history of the houses was a passion for Buz. He loved the Connecticut shore and boating. He and his family vacationed on their boat “Free Enterprise” to Nantucket, Block Island, Long Island, and the Hudson River. He and Peggy also enjoyed lobstering and fishing from their Grady White “Little Boat”. Their love of family brought the children and grandchildren together each winter in New Smyrna Beach, FL and each summer on Lake Michigan. Howard was always an active member of the community and loved the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, March 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the First Church of Christ, 250 Main Street, Wethersfield with the Reverend Deryk Richenburg officiating. Everyone is asked to please meet directly at church. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed, please go to https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwAdZHSj-Mb1_SZo_Eku_zQ to participate. The burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Family and friends may call on Monday, March 7th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. Donations in Howard’s memory may be made to the First Church of Christ, 250 Main Street, Wethersfield (www.firstchurch.org) or to the Wethersfield Historical Society, 150 Main St. Wethersfield (www.wethersfieldhistory.org).

To share a memory of Howard with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.