WILLARD, Bernice

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 04/25/2014 Bernice Willard, 90, died peacefully April 17, 2014, in Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada, at the home of her daughter Rita Fields. She was married to Reed Pitcher in 1944 and together they reared a family of 10 children. They taught their children faith in God, and instilled in them a desire to live righteously. They taught them to work hard and to serve others. After her husband’s death in 1993, Bernice served a family history mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. After her mission, she met Paul Willard when she came to Show Low for a visit with her daughter. A short time later, Bernice and Paul were married and then served a mission together, starting first in Fort Lupton, Colo., and finishing at Martin’s Cove, the Mormon Handcart Historical Site. The highlight of her mission was when she personally met the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley when he dedicated the visitor’s center there. Bernice’s life centered on her family and serving the Lord in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved the children and spent many years teaching and serving them. She created fun and happy times wherever she went. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Paul Willard; two sisters; eight children; 55 grandchildren; 139 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held April 26 in Williams Lake, British Columbia.