Willard Wayne Osburn, 79, of Winona, Missouri, passed away October 1, 2020, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born July 9, 1941, in Fremont, Missouri, the only son of Daniel Roy and Iva M. (Koogler) Osburn.
He graduated from Van Buren High School with the class of 1959. Soon after graduation, Willard went to California and Oregon to work. After returning to Missouri, he worked for Frank Douglas, and later Paramount Headwear.
Willard married the love of his life, Millie Counts, on April 20, 1968. He gained a daughter, Kendra Louise, that he loved as his own and soon adopted. He and Millie added three more children; William Daniel, Camillia Ann, and Thomas David. They spent 45 years together raising their family, loving their grandchildren, and making precious memories.
Willard and Millie both enjoyed living on a farm, gardening, and canning. He spent many years volunteering at Shannon County Food Pantry until health issues made it impossible. Willard was very social and loved family gatherings where he could relate family history and facts. He attended First Assembly of God Church in Eminence. Willard had said that everyone there made him feel at home and that is where he needed to be.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Iva Osburn; wife, Millie Osburn; daughter, Kendra Osburn; son, Danny Osburn; brothers-in-law, Bill Counts, Roy Dixon, Golden “Sarge” Bowen, and Orval Barks.
Willard is survived by a daughter, Ann Minnich (David) and son, Tom Osburn (Jimalene) all of Winona, MO; grandchildren, Danielle Taylor, Kayla and Aundrea Osburn, Louis, Jonas, and Jessi Minnich, Katie Lou Osburn, and Keaton Watson (Ashley); great-grandchildren, Kaden, Kendrix, Jackson, Emmett, and Waylon; sisters-in-law, Geneve “Susie” Barks, Eva Honeycutt (Charles), and Lillie Bland (Donald); many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends that he loved.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2020, in Pine Lawn Cemetery, Winona, Missouri with visitation beginning at 12 Noon at the cemetery, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Winona, Missouri. Donations in memory of Willard may be made to Shannon County Food Pantry, PO Box 537, Winona, MO 65588, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
