Willard Stafford

Willard C. 'Cliff' Stafford, 78, of Mansfield, died Thursday evening, June 9, 2005, at Riverside Methodist Hospital from complications of bowel surgery and heart complications. Born December 28, 1926, in Lewis County, Kentucky, he was the son of Fielden and Leona Webb Stafford. He retired from the City of Mansfield in 1984 after 25 years of service in the repair garage. He served during WWII in occupational Japan with the 157th Liaison Squadron of the Army Air Corp. Cliff was a member of Mansfield Baptist Temple and loved fishing, gardening, auctions, and took great pride in the maintenance of his yard. He was an assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts and loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was a friend to all who met him.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathryn Liles Stafford; four sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Karen Stafford, Bryon and Pamela Stafford, Greg and Angela Stafford and Matthew Stafford, all of Mansfield; a daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Victor Lester of Mansfield; mother-in-law, Rebecca Liles; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; eight step grandchildren; thirteen step great-grandchildren; close special friend, Hobart Meadows of Johnsville; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Elmo Stafford, grandson, Willard C. 'Christopher' Stafford, who was his namesake; granddaughter, Terri Diane; and great-grandchild, Gabriel Bush.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, Sunday, June 12 from 2-5 p.m. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home, conducted by Mansfield Baptist Temple. Additional services will be held at Gaydos Funeral Home in Vanceburg, Monday, June 13, from 1-3 p.m. Services will follow at 3 p.m., officiated by Brother James Deately. Burial will be in Liles Cemetery, Lewis County, Kentucky, Monday, June 13, 2005.