Former Dyer County Sheriff Robert A. Willard, 88, of Dyersburg, passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital.

Robert was born on May 26, 1930, in Boothspoint, to the late Adley and Pauline Howard Willard. He joined the U.S. Army on May 28, 1948, serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served in the 11th Airborne Division in Sindai, Japan, where he was a master parachutist with over 100 jumps. He was with the 7th Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, the 25th Infantry Division and the 18th Airborne Division. Robert was the First Sergeant of the 118th MP Company. He was stationed at the Pentagon for 7 years. In 1969, he came back to Dyersburg and worked for the Dyersburg Police Department until 1983. Robert was elected the Dyer County Sheriff from 1986-1994. He retired and traveled the country with his lovely wife Loretta. Robert was Master of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Hess Lodge.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2018 in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Phipps officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2018 at Dyersburg Funeral Home.

Survivors include his daughter, Kathy Putman (Larry), of Dyersburg; two grandchildren, Eric Putman (Sara), and Jason Putman (Sonya); eight great-grandchildren, Zack, Hunter, Josh, Hannah, Brittany, Kara, Emma Putman and Brantley Halliburton; and three great-great-grandchildren, Mya, Kinsley and Olivia Putman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Loretta Stephenson Willard; a sister, Frances Spears; and four brothers, T.L. Willard, Aubrey Willard, Thomas Willard and Paul Howard.

Pallbearers will be Eric Putman, Hunter Putman, Josh Putman, Brantley Halliburton, Danny Joe Ennis and Jason Putman.