Willard Henry Manes departed this life on Monday, October 3rd to be with his heavenly father. He was born November 28, 1925 near Hooker, MO to Alva and Etta (Simpson) Manes.

Willard served in WWII aboard the USS Sustain, a minesweeper assigned to duty in the South Pacific, where he attained the rank of Petty Officer 3rd class. After returning to the states, he was united in marriage to Reba Eileen Skaggs on Oct. 5, 1946. Willard was a diesel mechanic and retired from Montgomery GMC in 1987 and began his second career at Creekside at Elfindale making many friends. Willard was an avid sportsman and loved hunting, fishing, racing and watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball games. He was a member of Homeland Baptist Church and loved his relationship with the lord.

He is survived by his wife Reba of 70 years; children, Dana Manes and Al (Tammy) Manes; grandsons, Brandon (Stephanie) and Jeremy (Madeline) Manes; granddaughters, Tracy (Brian) Lockhart and Holly (Terry) Springer; two great grandsons and sister, Ruby (Morton) Rose.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Donna.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Quail Creek for the excellent loving care provided to Willard over the last 3 ½ months and Compasses Hospice.

Visitation will be held at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte Chapel on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2016 at 1:30pm with services at 2pm. Burial to follow in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Homeland Baptist Church, 1535 N. Golden, Springfield, MO 65802