Willard G. Jordan Jr. went to be with his Lord, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, with family by his side. Willard, or “Gren,” as his family called him, was a brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather, “pa pa pa,” uncle and friend to those he left behind.

He was born to Winifred and Willard Jordan in 1925, the oldest of six children.

When Willard turned 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was stationed off the coast of Japan, and served two years in World War II as a Boatswain’s Mate, in charge of 24 other sailors. In his conversations about that time of his life, he would always say it was God who kept him safe. Willard married Barbara Hunt in 1954 and had four children, Linda, Elizabeth, Nancy and Debbie. He raised his family in Lancaster, Pa., then moved to Port Charlotte, Fla., in 1980, to take care of his elderly parents. Willard worked as a Health and Life Insurance agent for most of his life, being a true advocate for all his clients. It was not uncommon for him to challenge hospitals and his own insurance companies in order to better serve those he represented. Willard’s tagline for his business was: “Where there’s a Will, there’s a Way.”

In 2005, when his own health began to decline, he went to California to live with his daughter, Linda, and her husband, Dr. Robert Dekkers. Willard was proud to be an American, very proud of his years in the Navy, and very proud to be a part of the Christian Coalition in Port Charlotte, which he assisted with for several years. He was a man of dignity, a man of grace, and his sense of humor will never be forgotten. He will be dearly missed many.

Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, in Ventura, Calif., and Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Dalton, Mass., where, after receiving a military tribute, he was laid to rest, as he had wished, next to his parents, grandparents and younger brother, who had preceded him in death.

His daughter, Linda, wants to thank the residents of Port Charlotte who knew her father, for all the love and support they showed him while residing there for over 25 years.

Anyone wishing to contact Linda may do so by emailing her at lindajordanmft@gmail.com, or by mail at 2110 Burnham Road, Ojai, CA 93023.

Arrangements were by Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.