Patsy Lou “Pat” Willard, 67, Joplin, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Freeman West Hospital after a lengthy illness.   

Pat was born Jan. 14, 1941 in Stella, daughter of the late Alfred Keller and Verna Culp Keller. She graduated from Neosho High School in 1959, and worked for several years with her parents as owner and operator of the Freeway Café, she also worked as a sales representative for Legg’s Panty Hose for many years. She was an active member of Wildwood Baptist Church where she exhibited a heart for the less fortunate, and volunteered many hours with Watered Gardens.

In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Willard who died Oct. 26, 2007, a granddaughter, Cara Friend, and a brother Gary Keller.

Survivors include her son, Mark Friend and wife Sonja, Joplin; daughter, Teresa Friend, Webb City; step-daughter, Shelley Graves, Joplin; brother, Alfred Keller, Jr. and wife, Connie, Neosho;  grandsons, Danny, Jr., Derek, Taylor, and Hunter, and two great-granddaughters, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m, Wednesday, at Wildwood Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Morris officiating.  Interment of her ashes will be private at a later date. 

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary today from 6 to 7 p.m.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Watered Gardens.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin