LAIRD, JR., Willard

Published by Today's News Herald from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26, 2021 - Lake Havasu city, Arizona - Willard was born in Wilmington, DE, the only child of Cecilia V. and Willard S. Laird, Sr. He graduated from Middletown High School, attended the University of Delaware then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963. He married Josephine (Jo) Laird on July 11, 1964. They had two sons born in Virginia, Robert Laird and Matthew Laird. Bill was selected by Admiral Myer to be one of the five Navy personnel for R&D on the AEGIS Program in Massachusetts. The next station was in Hawaii. Always interested in aviation, he achieved his private pilot license. While in Hawaii, he was selected as Warrant Officer 2 and transferred to San Diego. Bill continued his flying interest and got his commercial/instrument rating. He resided in the San Diego County for 35 years. Bill retired from the Navy as a Warrant Officer 3, worked for government contractors as a senior logistics engineer, and retired from General Dynamics in 2010. They had bought a house in Lake Havasu City in 1992. Matthew Laird married Sheri Navetta and they gave Bill a grandson, Chase Laird, and a granddaughter, Sofia Laird. Bill joined the London Bridge Amateur Radio Association and has a rating of Extra. He has been a director, vice president and an interim president. We all will miss his sense of humor and e-mails. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the London Bridge Amateur Radio Association at P O Box 984, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. No service will be conducted at this time. The family will petition for interment at a National Cemetery.