Surnames: WATERS FREE HART STALLARD MOOS ZIMMER ZIMMERMAN MEYER

----Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark Co., WI) 06/21/1947

Waters, Willard Edmund (5 Feb 1884 - 16 JUNE 1947)

Willard E. Waters

News of the sudden death of Willard Waters was a shock to all friends last Monday morning. He had been about as usual Sunday, although he had stated to some of not feeling very well. He had a rather restless night, but had told Mrs. Waters he was feeling better, about daylight. He passed away while she was starting to prepare breakfast.

Willard Edmund Waters, only son of James and Sarah Ann Waters, was born February 5, 1884, at Carter's Mill near Humbird. He grew to young manhood in Humbird, where he attended school, graduating the from high school in 1900, and from the Fairchild high school in 1901. After completing the high school course he was employed for a while at the Big Store in Fairchild, and later in a Duluth shoe store. Returning to Humbird he became assistant postmaster, and later became secretary of the Farmers Life Insurance Association. This position he held while the association was at Humbird, and was located in Madison for a time after its merger with National Mutual Benefit in 1931.

On October 6th, 1914, he was united in marriage to Matilda Beatrice Free, of Neillsville. To this union were born three children: Elizabeth Sarah, who died at the age of four years; Wayland Barre, now of Detroit; and Genevieve Faith, now Mrs. Charles A. Moos, of St. Louis.

Death came peacefully at an early hour Monday morning, June 16, 1947, he having attainted the age of 63 years, 4 months, and 11 days.

Surviving are his wife and two children, and one sister, Mrs. Bertha Hart, and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services were held at the town hall on Wednesday afternoon and were attended by a large congregation of friends, many coming from away. Many beautiful floral emblems were banked about the casket. The sermon was by Rev. N. J. Dechant, who used as a text in II Cor. 5:1. "If this earthly tabernacle be dissolved." Mrs. Will Theiler and Mrs. Alvin Bryner sang, "Richer, Purer Be." and "Abide With Me," with Mrs. Walter Smith accompanist. The Masonic burial rites were given by Robert Wright, of Alma Center. Burial was in the Mentor cemetery. Pallbearers were N. S. Fristad, Dr. S. G. Schwarz, A. L. Kirby, R. J. Stuve, J. Art Johnson, and S. R. Newton.

Relatives from away attending the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Stallard, of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Alton Stallard, of Eau Claire; Burton Stallard, of Wauwatosa; Mrs. John Stallard, Eau Claire; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Zimmerman and two daughters, Madelia, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Free and daughter of Withee; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Zimmer, Mrs. Merrill Meyer, and Thomas Free of Neillsville.

Mr. Waters was a member of Humbird lodge No. 191, F. & A. M. for 42 years. He was one of its past masters, and a most proficient ritualistic worker. During the past few years he had been called to officiate at home and far in the burial rites of the order at home and for neighboring lodges.

He was one of the most beloved and respected citizens of the community, always ready to give his time and assistance to others when needed. In his youth he was greatly interested in baseball, and it had been a pleasure to him to write the exploits of the new league team here this spring. Our readers will miss that weekly item as well as his contribution to the daily press. Our folks will miss his daily greeting about the village. It is difficult for us to realize that this close friend of more than 40 years has left his earthly tabernacle to make his permanent abode in the "House not made with hands, Eternal is the Heavens." His life's secret stands revealed--Truth, Honor, Fortitude.