Willard Lee Armstrong's Obituary
Willard Lee Armstrong, age 65, of Moravia, passed away Friday, October 11, 2024 at his home surrounded by his wife, children, and 2 loving grandchildren.
Willard was born on June 17, 1959 in Centerville, Iowa, the son of John Henry Armstrong and Anna Laura (Couchman) Armstrong. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Navy, he continued his education in college for a period of time after he served his country faithfully and was honorably discharged on August 10th, 1977. On July 27th, 1990, he was united in marriage to Barbara (Chapman) Armstrong.
Willard worked for several years in the Moravia community. He drove school bus for Centerville schools, which led him to be the Transportation Director in Moravia schools until retirement. Moreover, he was with the Mystic Fire Department as a Firefighter 1, for 10 years starting in 1992, before beginning at Centerville Department for Firefighter 2 in 2002. He began later on as a 1st responder and an E.M.T. with the Moravia Fire and Rescue, and ended his career with over 30 years as a firefighter and was Assistant Fire Chief for his last remaining years.
In his free time, he enjoyed fishing with his family, working on new projects, and taking his family on camping trips. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and kids. Holidays were always made special and spent with close family. His favorite dish to make was corn casserole. If he wasn't home, you could find him close to the fire station, or doing an activity with his kids outside the house. He enjoyed picking on his kids, nieces, nephews, and grandkids to make them smile and laugh. He enjoyed his new york vanilla ice cream, and loved even more to share it with his youngest granddaughter when she came to visit. He would rock his kids to sleep in his recliner, for as long as they wanted, no matter their age. He was always there whenever possible, whether it was a school program, a music activity, reading nights, etc. Popcorn, MandMs, and a coke were his go to movie night snacks with his daughter Cadance. He also would never admit it, but he secretly enjoyed the marvel movies, even if he was always found snoring in the theaters at the end of it. He enjoyed playing Bingo when there were jamborees, festivals, or at Old Settlers in Corydon. He would always dress up for halloween, his favorite being his Doctor costume from when his youngest Ben was born, he thought it was pretty clever. Early school mornings when it was only his daughter, he would get her up to go to school to change stop signs, get the buses turned on and running, and go "deer hunting" which consisted of driving the morning roads looking for deer to spot in the ditches or fields. Later on, it became mornings of watching the news and crossing our fingers for an ice or snow day because that delay meant all the family got to get up and have breakfast together. His sons would dogpile him in their underwear until they were all out of energy, whether it lasted 30 minutes or hours, his wife and daughter never thought it fair, but Willard always won. He had a good soul, and had a big heart for his family. He was a great husband, dad, papa, and brother.
Left to honor Willard's memory are his wife, Barb Armstrong; his sisters, Mary Taylor and Wanda Armstrong; his children, Cadance Armstrong (Jonathan Kamerick), Parker Armstrong, Thomas Armstrong, Daniel Armstrong, and Ben Armstrong; three granddaughters, Jessica Snow, Aurora Comegys, and the youngest, Susan Swenson; as well as several extended family members, including step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Willard was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Armstrong; and his siblings, Pat, Phyllis, Maxine, and Johnny.
Visitation will take place Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 5-7PM. Funeral services for Willard will be held at 11AM, Friday, October 18, 2024 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with Stuart Vander Vegle officiating. Cremation will follow the service, and a private family burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Armstrong Family, to be determined at a later date, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Armstrong Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome
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