Helen Willard Obituary

Helen Louise
Willard
January 13, 1937
August 5, 2025

Helen Louise Willard died peacefully at her daughter's home in Redmond, Washington at the age of 88, on August 5, 2025. She was born on January 13, 1937 in Cleveland, Virginia to David and Irene (Musick) Puckett.

Helen's first husband, Charles T. McKinnie, was in the Air Force and they lived many places including Taipei, Taiwan and Bitburg, Germany, before moving to Colorado Springs with their five children — David, Carolyn, Sharon, Linda and Thomas — in 1969.

Helen was a woman of faith and a member of First Presbyterian Church for 48 years. She worked for The Navigators and NavPress for 25 years. Helen had a special ability to connect with people because of her genuine interest in others. She loved music, playing piano and singing. Helen was a talented seamstress, knitter and needleworker. She particularly enjoyed learning stitches and techniques from different countries.

Helen married Dennis Dale Willard on September 3, 1981. Dale also brought five children to their marriage: Janelle, Bonita, Melody, Jewel and Verlyn. Helen and Dale lived a full life, happy at home and traveling to see their children. They traveled internationally to Canada, Panama, Israel, Germany, Great Britain and New Zealand. Helen also accompanied Dale on a mission trip to Egypt. Their favorite place to visit was Ouray, Colorado.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Dennis Dale (2021) and is survived by five children: David McKinnie, Carolyn McKinnie (Daniel Runge), Sharon Bodine (Daniel), Linda McKinnie (Paul Conroy), Thomas McKinnie, and four grandchildren: Elizabeth McKinnie, William McKinnie, Devon Bodine and Claire Bodine.