Willard E. (Bill) Pickard, 85 years, of Ft. Madison died Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. He was born February 13, 1928 in Donnellson Iowa, a son of Hiram and Lula (Smith) Pickard. He married Anna Thomas on March 22, 1947 and had celebrated 66 years of marriage.

He began his work career with the Santa Fe Railroad as a carman, the Iowa State Highway Patrol as a trooper, and J.I. Case where he retired as a machinist. His greatest joys were his family, working in the yard and especially his beautiful flower gardens. He was an avid yard-saler and loved bargains. He faithfully made home-made peanut brittle, each Christmas, for his family, which he excelled at. Bill was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge #13, AF & AM and a member of the First Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife Anna, two daughters, Deborah McElderry of Exline, Iowa and Carol (Dan) Kelley of Kirksville Missouri; and son Greg (Monika) Pickard of Round Lake, Illinois; five grandchildren: Shane (Kim) Kelley of Trophy Club Texas, Robyn (Brian) Hamilton of Knoxville Iowa, Heather (Tom) Rohn of Kirksville Missouri, Brandon McElderry of Lancaster Missouri and Kristina Pickard of Round Lake Illinois; four great- grandchildren: Hunter Kelley, Chase Brown, Aiden and Charlotte Kelley; and step-granddaughter Rebecca Rohn. Also surviving are three brothers: Darrell (Pat) Pickard, Duane (Joan)Pickard and Jerry (Barbara) Pickard all of Ft. Madison, two sisters, Shirley (Earl) Hoskins of Burlington and Mary Ward of Ft. Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Helen Heisig and Betty Pickard.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 am Friday, May 24, 2013 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. A Masonic Service will begin at 11:00 am Friday, May 24, 2013 at the Barr Memorial Chapel with a funeral service to follow officiated by Reverend John Simpson. Following the services his body will be cremated. A family burial will be held at a later date at Claypoole Cemetery, Wever, Iowa. A memorial in his honor has been established to the Shriners Crippled Children's hospital, and contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa.