Willard E. Spade

Willard E. Spade, 98, of Emporia, died on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Emporia.   Born on the family farm near Admire, KS on Oct. 13, 1922, Willard and his older twin Warren were the 3rd and 4th of five sons of Milton and Delsie McCray Spade.  A 1940 graduate of Admire High School, Willard farmed with his parents until his marriage to Beverly Wilson in 1954 at Council Grove.  They had met at a dance, and continued to enjoy dancing together into their old age.  The young couple farmed and rented a house north of Admire, then in 1957 built a house in Emporia and resided there for 60 years until their move to assisted living in 2017.  Having worked with heavy equipment building pond dams, Willard then worked in maintenance for the Kansas Turnpike Authority, ending after 32 years with his retirement as Bridge and Structures Superintendent.

Willard had a keen sense of humor and contributed numerous stories to the family genealogy records.  A lifelong sports fan, he enjoyed golfing, and for some years after retirement assisted his golfing buddy in maintaining three cemeteries in north Lyon Co.  He was very self-sufficient and capable with basic woodworking, plumbing, and electrical work.  He literally built the house in Emporia with his wife’s assistance and did the finish carpentry, later remodeled as necessary, and over the years did carpentry work for the extended family.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Emporia, and a longtime member of the AF&AM Lodge at Allen, KS.

Willard is survived by his wife Beverly of Emporia, son Steve (DeAnn) of Manhattan, and daughter Sharon Spade of Emporia.  Grandchildren are Stephanie Spade (Bryan) Leffingwell of Phoenix, AZ, and Geoffrey (Julia) Spade of Houston, TX; great-grandchildren are Ava and Colton Leffingwell, and Scarlett and Wesley Spade.

Willard was preceded in death by his four brothers Grayson, A. H. “Bub,” Warren and H. E. “Bink” Spade.

Private graveside services will be held at the Admire Cemetery, Admire.  Memorial contributions to the North Lyon County Museum can be sent in care of the funeral home.