Wayne K. Willard

Wayne K. Willard, 93, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on February 06, 2026. Wayne was born March 08, 1932 in Hemingford, NE, the son of Donald O. Willard and Macil Marie (Roberts) Willard.

Wayne graduated from Sidney High School in Sidney, Nebraska in 1950. Following high school, he continued his education at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska, Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. On returning to Sidney, Wayne met his future beloved wife, Marianne Schadegg. Wayne worked for a while before moving to Seattle, Washington in 1956, where he was employed at Boeing Aerospace. Marianne followed him shortly thereafter, and they married on May 18, 1957.

They returned to Colorado in 1960 where he took a position at Martin Marietta as an aerospace reliability engineer working primarily on the Titan Missile Projects. During a brief layoff, he went to Kimball, NE where he found construction work, and farm work on the farm Marianne grew up on. He was eventually called back to Martin Marietta where he worked until he retired in 1997. During his career, the family made a few moves from Lakewood to Arvada and to Elizabeth until they settled in Calhan, CO in 1979.

Wayne enjoyed sports his entire life and played college football. He also played softball to the age of 72. He enjoyed working with his horses as well as many hunting trips with his sons where they packed in on horseback and camped. Like with his own children, nothing gave him greater joy than to watch his grandchildren at their sporting and music events, and he missed very few.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was proceeded in death by a son, Bruce Michael.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Marianne Willard, his daughter Karen and husband Mark of Elbert, CO, sons Mark of Calhan, CO, and Scott of Torrington, Wyoming. Six grandchildren; Michelle, Brent, Michaela, Kenna, Connor, Carson, two great grandchildren; Dakota, and Autumn, one sister Lois and her husband Lew, and brother Larry and his wife Sue.

A rosary and Catholic Mass were held at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Calhan, CO on Saturday 02/14/2026 . Interment at Calhan Cemetery, then a reception followed back at Saint Michael’s.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks for donations to Saint Michael Catholic Church and/or prayer.