John Willard Palmer

John Willard Palmer Obituary

John Willard Palmer passed away, Sunday, August 28, 2022, just 7 weeks after his 101st birthday.  He was known by variations of his name:  JW, Willard, Will, Palmer, and Brother Palmer.  He was born

July 18, 1921, to Charles Ernest Palmer and Daisy Myrtle Dunn-Palmer in Abbyville, Kansas.  He graduated from Abbyville High School in 1939 and attended may school reunions up into his 90’s.  He also attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.  Will married Joyce Ferguson on June 7, 1944, soon after enlisting in the U.S. Army.  He served in the European theater during WWII and was a part of the occupying forces in Germany.  He served 3 years active duty and retired from the U.S Army Reserves after over 23 years.  After WWII, he returned to Hutchison, Kansas, where he worked in the optical business for 13 years before moving to New Mexico in 1959.  In 1964 He established his own business, Palmer Optical Service, from which he retired in 1984.  He was also an Amsoil Premier Direct Jobber.  His hobbies were photography and motorcycling, which included riding round-trip to Dallas, TX, when he was 90 years old.  He was also an avid member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and also rode with the Retreads.  Will married Jessie M. Babcock in 1975 and they were married over 30 years before her death.  Will accepted Christ as his Savior in May of 1938 and was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church of Alamogordo, NM, for 44 years until his death. 

He had a sister and brother who preceded him in death.  He is survived by his three daughters:  Sheryl McLendon of Texas; Jackie Cook and husband Mark of California; and LeAnn Loewen of Texas; three granddaughters; two grandsons; on great-granddaughter, three great grandsons; two great-great granddaughters; and four great-great grandsons; and a very dear friend, Ilene Smith, of the Alamogordo Senior Center, where he loved to socialize. 

A memorial service will be held at Faith Baptist Church of Alamogordo, 203 Alamo Street, Alamogordo, NM on Friday, September 2nd at 11:00 AM Pastor Jeff Hodges will be officiating.

The burial will be held at the Fort Bliss Cemetery in El Paso, TX on Tuesday, September 6th at 1:30 PM. 

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