Willard Widner, 72, of Auburndale, FL, passed away and went home to be with his Savior on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, after a valiant fight against kidney and heart disease.

Born December 18, 1935, in Colquitt, he grew up as the son of a sharecropper in a close-knit family of seven brothers and one sister. He served three years in the Army.

A military service will be held on June 6, at 11 a.m. at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to National Kidney Foundation, The Shriners, or Good Shepherd Hospice.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Patricia Widner; children, Stephanie Widner (Deak Phillips); Scott Widner (Leslie); brothers Claude Widner (Annette); Coy Widner (Gerry); Ray Widner (Jackie); Larry Widner (Sherry); and sister Fay Skipper (Carlton); grandchildren Kaitlyn and Audrey Widner and Jonah Phillips, plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivey and Elmer Widner of Donalsonville, and brothers, Junior Widner of Donalsonville and Vernon Widner of Colquitt.