Willard A. Kauffman, age 79, of Atwood, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, at his home with his family by his side.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL. Burial will follow in the Mackville Cemetery, Atwood, IL.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025 at the funeral home.

Willard was born January 21, 1946, in Tuscola, IL to Albert S. Kauffman and Anna J. (Yoder) Kauffman.

Willard is survived by his loving wife Jean "Jeannie" Kauffman (Lambert). They married on June 23, 1967, in Arthur, IL. They would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this year and loved living life together.

Willard graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School in 1964. After marrying, he moved to Goshen, IN where he worked at Goshen College and Lichti Foreign Car Service. After the birth of their two children, Heidi and Tracy, they moved to Atwood, IL to help with the family farm. Willard was skilled at fixing anything which proved helpful in his other jobs over the years at Willoughby Implement, Atwood Grain, Unity Grain, Top-Flight Grain, and various part-time jobs after retirement. He was particularly skilled in working on Volkswagen cars, and he could often be found tinkering in his garage on someone's vehicle.

Willard loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart. His passion was sharing God's word with anyone who would listen. He wanted everyone to know God loved them very much. Riding his motorcycle with Jean brought him immense joy. They were members of "Road Riders for Jesus." This group provided great opportunities for sharing God's love, making life-long friends, and great adventures. Willard truly had a servant's heart. With Jean by his side, Willard served as pastor of Maranatha of Redmond Church, served in a pastoral capacity for various organizations, and most recently attended LifePointe Church in Mattoon. Willard was always willing to serve wherever God sent him. Willard officiated several weddings and funerals over the years. As family, we love hearing people say, "Willard married us."

Willard was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Vi Janzen, and nephew, Jim Hamilton.

Willard is survived by his wife, Jean, daughter, Heidi (Steve) Yeakley of Atwood, IL; son, Tracy Kauffman of Sylvania, AL; grandchildren, Taylor Kauffman of Leesburg, AL; Jordan (Tyler) O'Hara of Mishicot, WI; Colton Yeakley of Atwood, IL; Brody Allen of Leesburg, AL; sister, Karen (Pete) Pankov of Sunrise Beach, MO; great-grandchildren, Alyson O'Hara and Connor O'Hara; as well as several nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and wonderful friends.

We wish we would have recorded all the "Words of Willard" over the years. His words of wisdom, jokes, funny sayings and frequent rhyming and made-up words after his stroke would have filled a book. He has touched many lives and will be deeply missed. We know he is walking the streets of gold in paradise and heard the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The family would like to express a heart-felt thank you to Carle Hospice, Arbor Rose of Monticello, Arbor Rose of Tolono, LifePointe Church, and numerous friends for the love and care provided to Willard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arbor Rose (Monticello or Tolono) or LifePointe Church in Mattoon.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com