Willard Carl Becker

Willard C. Becker, 92, of Independence, MO passed away on July 19, 2006 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, at the Groves Chapel. There is a memorial scholarship for Blue Valley Activity Center being established in his name: Central Mission Center, 500 W. Pacific, Independence, MO 64050, Attn: Steve Kellogg. Willard retired from full-time church appointment for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Community of Christ), on December 31, 1978. He was ordained a priest in 1931, an elder in 1934 and a Bishop in 1949. A full-time minister since 1936, his assignments included serving as bishop of Blue Valley Stake and on the staff of the Presiding Bishopric. He was born in Oswago, Oregon, and graduated from High School in Woodland, Washington. He studied at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa and received a B.S. degree in agriculture, economics and rural sociology from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In World War II, he served with the U.S. Air Force for three years and with the 8th Air Force 3rd Air Division headquarters in England from 1943-1945. He received the Bronze Star Medal. From 1945-1948 he was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in Iowa. He leaves his wife Doras V. (Gamet) Becker; daughter, Sharon K. Bruns and husband Richard; two grandchildren, Lindsay and Eric; two brothers, Roy and Harry Becker; and two sisters, Hattie Bowie and Molly Bunting.