On November 13, 2024, the agricultural industry lost one of its legends in ag retail. De Willar, founder of Willard Agri-Service died at the age of 93.
He had a 76-year career as a custom farmer, ag retailer and auto dealer.
Per his obituary:
De founded Willard Chemical Co., Inc. in 1970 (later renamed Willard Agri-Service) as a companion business to his custom farming operation. Willard Agri-Service grew to become a nationally recognized agricultural retailer serving Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia from five locations. De’s thirst for knowledge motivated him to become active in numerous ag retailer organizations across the nation, where he built a network of cherished friends.
In August 1981, De launched a second business endeavor in the automotive industry which grew to five dealerships located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Similar to the network of friends he developed in agriculture, he grew another network of treasured colleagues in the auto world.
De loved his work and businesses, never carving out significant time for hobbies and recreation. He often remarked that “if you love your job, you’re having fun every day and don’t need a hobby!”
As professional success grew, De fostered important relationships within the ag industry by serving on the Boards of The Fertilizer Institute, Brandt Consolidated, Ouachita Fertilizer, Ag Chem Equipment, the National Fertilizer Solutions Association, and the Maryland and Virgina Milk Producers Cooperative.
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his children Frances Amato Willard; brother William G. Willard (Jane) of Little River, NC; and sister Sarah Ann King (David) of Derwood, MD. He is also survived by his four children Bobby Willard (Lynda) of Key West, FL; Billy Willard, Sr. (Ann Marie) of Poolesville, MD; Jimmy Willard of Jefferson, MD; and Patti Weiss (Mike) of Charlotte, NC., sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.
You can read more about De Willard on the company’s website.
The Willard family of Montgomery County, Maryland was a 2023 inductee in the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. Over the years, both the farm and the agri-service business have received numerous awards, including the ARA Lifetime Achievement Award and ARA Distinguished Service Award.
