Esther Hawks Willard

Esther Hawks Willard, a longtime resident of Bloomington, Illinois, passed away peacefully Friday, February 5, in Bend.

Esther was born June 16, 1917, in Normal, Illinois, to Dr. J.K.P. Hawks and Esther Hart Hawks. After graduating from Bloomington High School, she attended Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in 1939.

In December, 1944, she married Raymond R. Stephenson (deceased). Together they raised two children, Raymond Allen Stephenson and Sally Stephenson Benton. In 1969 she married Donald H. Willard (deceased), also in Bloomington.

Esther was a loving and supportive presence. A joyful traveler, lifelong learner, supportive wife and mother, enthusiastic golfer, and volunteer in many organizations in Bloomington, she contributed much to the wellbeing of her community and her family. She was a loyal and active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, The 4 O'Clock History Club and Brokaw Hospital Women's Auxiliary. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Esther is survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Knecht Hawks; her children, Sally S. Benton of Sisters, Donald A. Willard, Sally Willard Anderson and John H. Willard; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Jae) Robbins, Ann Stephenson, Erik Benton, Megan Benton, Benjamin Willard, Natalie Willard Cook, Scott Anderson, and Brooke Anderson; and great-grandchildren, Elyse Willard, Thomas Robbins and Finn Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Raymond R. Stephenson and Donald H. Willard; her son, Raymond A. Stephenson; and her brother Allen H. Hawks.

A celebration of her life will be held at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Illinois, on Friday, March 5 at 11:30 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Partners in Care Hospice, 2075 N.E. Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701, or Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120-2350.